Filenews 21 November 2021 - by Stratos Stylianides
Singapore. Zurich. Oslo. Geneva. Copenhagen. Lausanne. Helsinki. Bilbao. Dysseldorf. They are just some of the most "intelligent" cities in the world that gather unique characteristics and qualities enviable for all modern states. Singapore, for example, an island country south of Malaysia with a population of 5.7 million stands out as 94% of its government services are digital. Copenhagen too, with a population of 1.4 million, could not fail to be at the top of the most resilient cities when 40% of citizens ride a bicycle to work. It even seeks to become the first major capital in the world to achieve carbon neutrality (by 2025).
Cyprus, on the other hand, is a small country with a population of 1.2 million inhabitants, a good standard of living and a GDP of up to 23.8 billion dollars, according to World Bank data. Although due to the pandemic, like other countries and Cyprus, has accelerated its digital transformation, the country remains quite low at a European level in terms of the use of digital technology and e-government. Also, Due to its geographical position, Cyprus is a country particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which makes it imperative to strengthen its resilience, adapt to the new climatic data created based on the recommendations of the European Union, and transform it into a "smart" modern state of the Mediterranean.
But how can a state become "smart"?
All research shows that in 2050, 2/3 of the population will live in cities, consuming 75% of the world's natural resources, producing 50% of waste globally, as well as over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. So where should modern states invest?
"Smart" states invest simultaneously in innovation, new skills, green growth, digital transformation, but also in the upgrading of industry and the development of entrepreneurship. And all this to bring the highest economic productivity and new growth that will allow cities to thrive. The expected benefits are multiple.
New business opportunities support skills development and jobs. Creating a circular economy in cities can bring huge social, economic and environmental benefits. Lower carbon emissions and pollution improve air quality and the health of residents especially in urban space, while enhanced social interactions make city spaces attractive and sustainable for citizens.
"Smart" states make full use of the wealth of opportunities in cities to create a system that has the capacity to work in the long term for society, the economy and the environment. They design their cities as living systems that effectively operate public services and urban transport, improve the way buildings are used, and upgrade people's quality of life.
A "smart" state must "read" the opportunities well. The future and its needs. Those whose sole aim is to improve the quality of life of citizens, in a safe and sustainable environment. In my opinion, three (3) are the axes in which Cyprus should invest through an Integrated Territorial Investment Plan, which will be harmonized with the priorities of the European Union and adapted to local needs.
Green Deal
A "smart" state in the times we live in is planning and implementing measures to transform the economy and society in order to meet climate ambitions. This is a series of proposals aimed at making EU climate, energy and transport policies suitable for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. With the Green Deal, Europe is seeking to become the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The Green Deal should be the locomotive for a "smart" state, as it can improve the well-being and health of citizens and future generations through a series of benefits related (indicatively) to healthy and affordable food, cleaner energy, renovated and energy efficient buildings, more and friendlier means of transport, Etc.
Digital Transformation
A "smart" state is ready for the digital age. It empowers its citizens with a generation of technologies. It is bold and makes incisions that change people's mentality and everyday life. The Fourth Industrial Revolution brings new advances and skills in technologies. The digital dominance of a "smart" state lies in setting new standards, rather than following those of others – with a clear focus on the country's data, technology and infrastructure.
Digital technology is changing people's lives. The EU has a specific digital strategy that aims to use this transformation as a tool to work for the benefit of people and businesses, while contributing to the goal of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.
Resilience
Resilient cities are those cities that have the capacity to absorb, recover and prepare for future shocks that can come from different sources. Economic, environmental, social, institutional. It is those cities that promote sustainable development, prosperity and inclusive growth.
Resilience is not only about the ability to endurance and meet challenges, but also about the ability to transform in a sustainable, fair and democratic way. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, it is clear that modern European cities must not only recover but also emerge stronger. The state must learn from the pandemic, anticipate future developments and strike the right balance between the well-being of present and future generations.
We therefore need to activate a fundamental economic and social transformation with an impact on economic activity, technologies and institutions in Cyprus. The country, due to its size and socio-economic characteristics, has all the prerequisites to form a "smart agenda" with a time horizon of 2030, when it will be celebrating the 70th elections since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus. And not to stay in the planning. To have already become a modern "smart" state.
*Vice Rector of Research and Lifelong Learning auth.
