[Podcast] Applying technology in smart and innovative urban management in the new era
4 September, 2024
Keywords: Smart and creative urban management, Sustainable development, Technology application, Digital urban
In the context of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, the integration of technology into urban management is becoming a decisive factor for the effective and sustainable development of cities. “Digital urbanism”, “Smart management” and “Infrastructure improvement” are the challenges and the opportunities that urban managers face to optimize management and to improve life quality for residents. UEH’s Live Talk “Management & Technology: Perspectives from the public & the private sectors in the 4.0 era” with a special discussion session “The key towards becoming a smart and creative Urban Manager” will answer the above questions!

In this modern urban context, most cities are facing various transformations from developing automated traffic systems, efficient energy management to optimizing the living environment through innovative digital technology solutions. Concurrently, the problem of human resources capable of combining management and technology to create smart and creative urban solutions is also raised.
For more in-depth perspectives on this issue, the Live Talk with the topic “Management & Technology: Perspectives from the public & the private sectors in the 4.0 era” – The key towards becoming a Smart Urban Manager organized by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), brought leading experts in the fields of urban management and technology together in sharing perspectives and practical solutions to solve the problem concerning urban and technological challenges, promoting sustainable development for cities in the new era. The key speakers include: Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of UEH Institute of Smart Cities & Management and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Urban Expert, Unit of General Planning, Department of Planning and Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City.
The role of technology in improving life quality in smart cities
Dr. Trinh Tu Anh: Mentioning the macro picture that technology impacts on the city while also changing the city’s role in improving the quality of people’ lives, I would like to invite Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of General Planning Office of the Department of City Planning and Architecture, to share your assessment of the role of technology in improving life quality of people in these cities.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Upon discussing life quality, traffic is the first mentioned factor, associated with residents’ daily needs. Technology plays a completely active role in supporting transportation network coordination and providing residents with smart, effective choices based on the data collected from camera systems and other information sources. This helps optimize time, save costs and bring high efficiency in traffic coordination with diverse weather conditions and urban environments. Second, technology contributes significantly to the efficient and economical use of energy, allowing residents to choose the most optimal energy usage option for daily needs, from lighting or household appliance operations, to transportation. Third, medical technology helps residents easily access health care services. Through analysis and prediction based on medical data, residents can be diagnosed and treated quickly and accurately so as to monitor their health more comprehensively. Fourth, technology facilitates convenient and transparent access to public services. Residents can carry out administrative procedures online with high reliability and respond more quickly, increasing satisfaction and responding closely to real life. Fifth, in education, technology is opening up diverse learning opportunities, allowing learners to access global knowledge sources anytime, anywhere, with diverse learning forms, contributing to the comprehensive individual development. Last but not least, technology plays an important role in protecting security, safety and confidentiality of personal data. All of these factors prove that technology is not only a support tool but also a core factor in improving the life quality, contributing to the sustainable development of smart cities.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan sharing the role of technology in improving residents’ life quality
Urban transformation: Integrating technology and data for a sustainable future
Dr. Trinh Tu Anh: With the development trend of the digital age, how will the governance model and management method have to change to accommodate continuous innovation? How can new technologies be applied while remaining sustainable and efficient?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: To meet new challenges in smart city development, data-based governance is one core element. We need accurate, highly up-to-date data to reflect reality and make correct, effective decisions. Concurrently, training human resources and ensuring safety and information security are indispensable factors. It is necessary to develop a training strategy so that residents and organizations can use technology effectively while ensuring that the use of technology does not cause negative consequences.
For example, when applying technology in the field of architectural planning, GIS technology helps analyze space and forecast urban development trends. BIM technology in construction allows data integration from design to construction, ensuring an efficient and economical process. In short, the fact that smart city development must be accompanied by ensuring sustainability will help us build smart, modern cities while ensuring life quality and environmental protection.
Developing human resources for smart cities
Dr. Trinh Tu Anh: Currently, as a state management agency, which requirements do you think the current Departments, Boards and Sectors are placing on human resources to be able to adapt and to work in planning, design, management, and coming up with innovative ideas and initiatives to develop smart cities?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: First, regarding residents’ stories, we need to help them be aware of the role of technology and how to use technology appropriately to improve and to enhance work efficiency. Second, the level and skills of applying technology creates personal technological capacity and helps individuals develop their capacity clearly and effectively. From a management perspective, I believe that the State has been having training programs to improve capacity in technology skills and use. Nowadays, with information sharing and available amount of information, each individual can have a lot of room to use technology so as to promote their strengths and abilities in their work position. If we have a better information-sharing environment and a stronger common data ecosystem for the entire society, the effectiveness will be much greater. However, with the current technological picture, a lot of potential to promote and to improve personal technological capacity as well as organizational management capacity can be identified.

Dr. Trinh Tu Anh and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan discussing the story of human resources for smart cities
“Golden key” towards becoming a leading smart and creative urban manager
Dr. Trinh Tu Anh: As the coordinator of the EMPM Master’s Program – Smart and Innovative Urban Management at University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), I believe that this program is built on a combined foundation. Between theory and practice, students will have the opportunity to experience the world, to be exchanged with international universities, allowing students to receive dual degrees and learn more other fields listed as design technology, urban management, and infrastructure.
A special feature of the program is its focus on practical applications. Students work on real-life projects, addressing urban issues from a variety of perspectives – from businesses, regulatory agencies to educational institutions. In addition, the program creates a creative community where different fields share and solve urban problems. This is in line with UEH’s mission of solving smart city challenges and continuously adapting to new problems. To broaden the perspective, can you identify which characteristics the Master’s program has to meet current needs in the development story of an intelligent and creative city?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Besides the highlights from the EMPM Master’s Training program – UEH Smart and Innovative Urban Management – that Dr. Trinh Tu Anh mentioned, what impressed me from this training program is as follows: First, from the management perspective, the program focuses on developing knowledge of economics and management, providing students with a comprehensive overview of human resource management, risk management and development management. This helps students have an overall view and the ability to operate effectively no matter which environment they will be working: in businesses, State agencies or other organizations. Second, the program focuses on the technology application in urban management and development. Technology plays an important role in solving multidisciplinary and complex urban problems, actively researching and applying new technologies, not only in governance but also in the development of urban projects, resulting in the promotion of innovation and creativity. The program combines domestic and international resources while exploiting technological strengths so as to create new breakthroughs. This is one groundbreaking program that needs to be further promoted and connected with social resources from businesses, universities, and management agencies. In the context of smart and creative urban development, applying technology to management is not simply a trend but has become a decisive factor for success and sustainable development. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is committed to continuing to promote the combination of academia, practice and state management agencies with the purpose of providing the most comprehensive knowledge and skills for potential learners. Training and developing human resources in this field will not only meet market requirements but also contribute to promoting innovation and improving life quality in the near future.
Please search for more complete information regarding EMPM Master’s Training program – UEH Smart and Innovative Urban Management HERE.
News, photos: Expert group, Department of Marketing and Communications
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