Charles Mok discusses smart cities from a data perspective. He notes that global spending on smart city technology is expected to reach $27.5 billion by 2023. However, he questions what smart city means for engineers and how availability of data can help make better decisions. Mok provides the example of using new data on uneven parking meter usage to address traffic congestion. He emphasizes that without open data, a city cannot be smart and discusses challenges around privacy, security and use of personal data as cities collect more information. Mok argues smart cities require smart governance focused on coordination, releasing real-time data, and ethical policies around data access, privacy and citizens' interests.

1. Smart City
from the Data perspective
Charles Mok
Legislative Councillor (Information Technology)
2016.7.4 Sharing @ APEEMSD

2. Technology spending for the
global smart city market is
expected to reach
$27.5 billion by 2023
Source: Navigant Research

3. But wait…
1. What does Smart City mean for engineers?
2. How can availability of data help us make better decisions
and improve what we do?
3. What do we need to thinking about? Is it just technology?

4. A framework

5. Hong Kong: Catching Up and Moving Forward
Increase the Wi-Fi
hotspots to over
30,000 in Hong
Kong.

6. Long long road ahead
Hong Kong the government will commission a
study to map out development plans up to
2030 in order to create a smart city.

7. How can data help solve
problems?

8. Knowing the
unknown?
Potential of
analysing and
understanding problems
that we may not know
have existed

9. An example
Uneven usage of parking
meters in some areas
Drivers circle around to find a
meter
Traffic congestion in peak hours

10. New thinking for parking meter??

11. More data can create the
evidence base to run cities
more efficiently,
productively, sustainably,
transparently and fairly

12. Smart City and Open Data
12

13. Global Open Data Index by Open Knowledge International Foundation

14. No Open Data, No Smart City
What can developers use at present?
Available for free - items in transport:
● Journey time indicators
● Speed map panels
● Traffic snapshot images
● Traffic speed map
● Routes and fares of public transport
● MTR routes, fares and barrier-free facilities
● Electric vehicle charging station locations

15. Upgrade of TIS in the
next few years to
support real time data,
analytics, and…
Open data?

16. In Tokyo and London, we get real time info

17. What difference does it make? In HK we have an approximate

18. Overseas: government-led support to sharing real time data/API

19. More consultant studies on the way…
Is open data strategy in the government’s
“long-term development plans” for smart
city?

20. Privacy and Security Challenges
20

21. Continued growth in
the generation and use
of personal data
___
We know more
about people
Info collected about individuals’ characteristics, their location and
movements, and their activities …

22. Increased risks
of smart cities
data security breaches
system vulnerabilities
invasions of privacy
concerns about
software reliability.

23. Phone tracking recycling bins?

24. US retail store tracking customers in-store caused controversy

25. Use of personal-identifiable data
- growing concern for citizens
- focus for regulators
- battleground for trust
25
Govt need to proactively respect and
protect consumer data

26. 一個沒有開放資料的「智慧城市」，
就猶如一個沒有記憶的腦袋。
吳伯風、楊夏至 (本土研究社)
2016年4月9日《明報》觀點版

27. Mindset is key:
Smart city requires smart governance
27

28. execution and coordination
Before talking about “Blueprint” of Smart City…
Can we first address the current silo situation?
New Franchise for Bus Companies
• Push the transport companies to release more traffic data?
Static data: bus routes, bus stops and schedules, fares and discounts etc.
Dynamic data: real-time bus location, arrival time etc.
Electronic Road Pricing Pilot Scheme
• Use decade-old technology or latest available technology?
• Release real-time traffic data for developers, analyst and research?
• Enhance cross-departmental cooperation?

29. What do we need?
• coordination of cross-department policies
• making available real-time traffic data from service providers
• data released in interoperable formats
• user’s and application developer’s active use of these data
• updated laws that allow room for new intelligent products and services
• review the limitations of road and public transport system capacity

30. More sensors,
softwares and
algorithms =
better urban
management?

31. Anthony Townsend (Senior research scientist at New York University )
Increasing our dependence on
software to run services and operate
infrastructure
.

32. We need ethical,
principle-led
approach
designed to best
serve the interests
of citizens
1. Developed policy around open
data and access to information
2. strong relationship between
the govt with citizens and
developer community
3. well-thought through policy on
privacy and security

33. Solution is not technology
Vision Facilitating trials Measurement Iteration
policy and regulatory focused
governance and management orientated

34. Thank You
charlesmok@charlesmok.hk
Facebook: Charles Mok 莫乃光
www.charlesmok.hk