Rethinking Smart Cities: From Right-Sizing to Smart Enough

Date of Event: 25 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2025
π‘Ήπ’†π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’Œπ’Šπ’π’ˆ π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘ͺπ’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”: π‘­π’“π’π’Ž π‘Ήπ’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’•-π‘Ίπ’Šπ’›π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒐 π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘¬π’π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰
π‘Ήπ’†π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’Œπ’Šπ’π’ˆ π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘ͺπ’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”: π‘­π’“π’π’Ž π‘Ήπ’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’•-π‘Ίπ’Šπ’›π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒐 π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘¬π’π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰

At our recent research dissemination event in Bangkok "π‘Ήπ’†π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’Œπ’Šπ’π’ˆ π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘ͺπ’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”: π‘­π’“π’π’Ž π‘Ήπ’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’•-π‘Ίπ’Šπ’›π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒐 π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’“π’• π‘¬π’π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰," we explored what it takes to make #SmartCity innovation both effective and inclusive, with insights grounded in our director, Prof Orlando Woods’ three-year research project on technocratic governance and the politics of smart city knowledge transfer.

The event opened with remarks from Assoc. Prof. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), sharing insights from her experience leading BMA’s journey to transform Bangkok into a β€œSmart Enough City” which prioritises context-sensitive, and practical innovation. β€œUsually, people who are interested in technology do not realise that technology can be scary.”


Moderated by Dr Nattawut Usavagovitwong from the Bangkok City Lab/ Navamindradhiraj University (NMU), the panel, including Assoc. Prof. Maneerat Ongwandee - Head of Department of Urban Administration and Management, Institute of Metropolitan Development, NMU, brought together leading scholars and practitioners from across Thailand.

πŸ”Ήβ€œThe platform for the data will do nothing if you do not have the people to move it in the future.” - Asst. Prof. Poon Khwansuwan, Acting Director, Smart City innovative Research Academy, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

πŸ”Ήβ€œMore than just data - we need information and the ability to access and learn from it.” - Assoc. Prof. Poon Thiengburanathum Wungpatcharapon, Deputy director of Program Management Unit on Area-based Development (PMUA).

πŸ”Ήβ€œNot just one Ministry, but a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.” - Prof. Orlando Woods, speaking on lessons from Singapore’s smart city journey.

We were encouraged by the lively exchange across sectors, including representatives from the public and private sectors, academics, researchers and NGOs committed to co-creating hashtag#UrbanFutures that are smart, inclusive, and right-sized for Southeast Asia’s unique challenges.

More photos and reflections from organisers, speakers and participants of session:
Celine Kuok https://lnkd.in/g7QYW4Ez
Yuanto Kusnadi https://lnkd.in/grSvbVkW
Tjakko Dijk https://lnkd.in/gnu2CQbc
Δ°brahim KocagΓΆz https://lnkd.in/gk76Z5iK

(This event is co-organised with the Singapore Management University Overseas Centre in Bangkok, with support from Bangkok City Lab and NMU)

πŸ“More info on Aprils' SMU Urban Institute workshop that led to the event: https://lnkd.in/gkhk5xRC
πŸ“Event announcement: https://lnkd.in/gHhFKjCY