Optimum use of ICT must for building smart city

Optimum use of information and communications technology (ICT) and innovative thoughts are required to build a smart city, speakers said at a two-day workshop in the city.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) organised the workshop titled 'Smart City Innovative-Bangladesh' at the auditorium of the Insti-tution of Engineers, Bangl-adesh (IEB), reports BSS.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Atiqul Islam attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest.

Addressing the inaugural session, he stressed the need for optimum use of ICT in providing civic amenities to the city dwellers.

"It is quite impossible to ensure civic facilities for people without optimum use of ICT. Innovative thoughts and optimum use of ICT are required to build a developed, modern, people-friendly and smart city," the DNCC mayor said

Atiqul urged ICT experts, university teachers and young researchers to come forward with their innovative thoughts and conduct research on civic amenities to help build a smart city. He assured them of providing all-out support from the DNCC in this regard.

Putting emphasis on the use of ICT in transport sector, Atiqul said city's traffic congestion could be minimized through innovative thoughts and research.

The mayor said the ICT can play a vital role in telemedicine, disaster management, safe drinking water supply, recreation, aforestation and gardening.

Chaired by Prof Selina Shahnaz of Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (BUET), the workshop was addressed, among others, by Prof Dr Saifur Rahman of Virginia Tech University, USA, and Dr Ramakrishna Kappagantu of India.