Telemedicine, electronic guide, and "smart housing". Is Orsha ready to become a smart city?
The first working meeting was held in Orsha with the participation of Sergey Kruglikov, Deputy General Director for Scientific and Innovation Work of the United Institute of Informatics Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
– Together with the administration of the Orsha District, we will develop a strategy for coordinating efforts, – noted the scientist. – We will study the situation and outline the starting points for developing the concept and roadmap. There is very little time to develop a clear plan with every step outlined – two months. To begin with, it is necessary to determine the level of digitalization of the region, analyze everything from the perspective of the availability of information resources and technologies in all areas of life. This includes energy, housing and communal services, education, culture, healthcare, transport, trade, ecology, tourism, etc. We will promptly assess the information systems that can be used in the project.
The construction of a smart city does not imply the destruction of the entire system. There are many good things that can fit into a smart strategy.
For example, the region has a developed information and communication infrastructure; in particular, 95% of the multi-apartment residential sector is provided with fiber-optic networks, and by the end of the current year, it is planned to increase this figure to 100%.
Sergey Kruglikov said that the Joint Institute of Informatics Problems had preliminarily surveyed the executive committee employees on how they envision their district developing as a smart one. These data will be processed and analyzed. He added that today the main task of the working group is to find as many promising ideas as possible, to collect rational proposals and opinions from the heads of all enterprises and organizations involved in the implementation of the concept. The next step will be to review the proposed ideas and analyze them.
The meeting discussed Orsha's innovative potential for implementing technologies in the field of electronic governance of a small city territory. The topic of a unified information space as a key component of an integrated information system for regional governance and interaction between authorities and citizens was also raised.
The implementation of the concept is planned to be carried out in two stages by 2023. In the first stage, the "Smart City" subprogram and its implementation roadmap will be developed.
For these purposes, it is planned to widely implement the "smart home" service, and continue the implementation of the "Electronic School" and "Electronic Prescription" industry projects. The creation of a geographic information system intended for integrated planning and territory management is also envisaged.
Vladimir Ivashko, Deputy Director for Science and Development of OJSC "Giprosvyaz", emphasized that without a base and appropriate communication equipment, it is impossible to talk about a smart city. In this regard, "Giprosvyaz" is ready to assist the region.
Are there any mandatory features that a smart city must possess? Scientists are convinced that everything depends on desire and financial capabilities. But this is by no means flying drones and taxis between high-rise buildings, or robots at every step. For example, a street traffic planning system will start tracking and adjusting traffic flows – traffic jams will become a thing of the past with this approach, and the number of accidents will decrease significantly. Street sensors will monitor air quality and, in case of severe pollution, will immediately notify the relevant structures, and at home, it will be possible to adjust the room temperature, turn on the TV, lighting, or water with gestures.
With the help of telemedicine, it will be possible to get a doctor's consultation without leaving home. Electronic displays will appear at public transport stops, and an electronic guide will provide a detailed excursion into the sights and history of the region.
The concept of an intelligent, largely digital city will provide for residents to feel comfortable here, the economy to become more rational, and nature to thrive, not just survive.
In other words, the main goal of the project is to create a high-tech region that unites people, information, and infrastructure elements.
A smart city is not the final goal of transformation, but a continuous process of improving the lives of the population and the environment.