Attending the Government ICT Conference that was held at the Technology Development Zone in Gebze, Kocaeli on October 9, 2024, UCLG-MEWA contributed to the digital transformation process of local governments.
The role of smart cities and local governments in the process, was strongly emphasized by UCLG-MEWA. Addressing critical issues such as Cyber Security, the Law on the Protection of Personal Data, Blockchain and integrating practical technologies to urban life, the conference offered crucial opportunities also for local governments.
The fair and effective use of technology for the future of smart cities was also among the issues addressed within the scope of the conference. While the productivity of cities increase with the integration of IoT and mass data into city managements, it is targeted to provide faster and higher quality service to citizens. Through such technologies, cities can make significant improvements in areas such as infrastructure, resource management, traffic and energy. It was also stated at the event that in this transformation process, local governments should implement technology with a people-oriented approach.
The presentations and discussions offered within the scope of the conference showed that local governments should make use of technological development to create social benefits. In this context, it was stated that artificial intelligence and 5G technology offer critical opportunities for local governments to produce more effective and faster solutions with the value they will add to the governance structure of cities.
It was stated that the efforts by local governments given to strengthen their digital infrastructure are of great importance in terms of both making citizens’ lives easier and building cities that are more resilient in the face of future.
Various technologies addressed during the conference and the perspective offered by UCLG-MEWA revealed that innovation, security and people-oriented policies will play an important role in the future of cities. It was also emphasized that in building smart cities, it is critical not only to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology, but also to use these technologies in a way that will increase the welfare of societies.