China’s approach to smart city development offers valuable lessons for countries in the Global South. While the approach may differ from Western models, China’s strategic use of technology, system integration, focus on economic growth, and partnerships provide a roadmap that can be adapted to developing nations. China’s emphasis on economic growth is driven by the need to create jobs, attract investment, and support industrial clusters, which are vital for maintaining social stability and fostering development. This focus is highly relevant for countries like Indonesia and other Global South nations facing similar challenges. With around 700 million people in the Global South living in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank, economic growth becomes a key driver for smart city initiatives, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions. This article explores key aspects of China’s smart city development and their relevance for the Global South while acknowledging the importance of local adaptation.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency and Innovation

China’s smart cities have demonstrated significant economic and social impacts. According to a Deloitte report, smart cities in China contributed around 50% of China’s GDP in 2022. Investment in smart city projects is expected to reach $422 billion by 2025 (IDC). These investments have also created millions of new jobs, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors.

China has aggressively adopted advanced technologies such as AI, Big Data, IoT, and Cloud Computing to enhance public services, including intelligent transportation systems, public security, and energy management. These technologies help address critical urban issues like traffic congestion, flooding, and pollution.

Similarly, India’s Smart Cities Mission provides an example of leveraging technology to improve urban services, with initiatives such as IoT for real-time water quality monitoring in Ajmer and smart waste collection in Surat. Unlike Western models that emphasize data privacy and public participation, China focuses on rapid, large-scale implementation—a strategy well-suited for countries seeking quick urban improvements.

System Integration and Collaboration

The impact of integrated systems is evident in the increased efficiency and improved quality of public services. For example, Hangzhou’s ‘City Brain’ system has reduced traffic congestion by 15% and improved emergency response times by 50%. In Shanghai, smart grid technology has boosted energy efficiency by 10% and cut carbon emissions by 15%.

A key factor in China’s smart city success is the development of integrated platforms that connect government departments and systems, facilitating data sharing and collaboration. This centralized, top-down approach contrasts with the decentralized models seen in the West. For the Global South, where government structures are often fragmented, adopting similar integration strategies could significantly enhance efficiency and public service effectiveness. Examples include Rwanda’s ‘Irembo’ platform, which provides online access to government services, and Kenya’s ‘Nairobi County Command and Control Centre’ for real-time traffic and safety management. Such integration promotes responsive and coordinated governance, which is crucial for developing nations.

Focus on Economic Growth and Inclusivity

The economic benefits of smart cities in China are reflected in citizen satisfaction. A survey by McKinsey found that 80% of residents in Chinese smart cities are satisfied with their quality of life, citing improvements in public services such as healthcare, education, and transportation. This focus on enhancing quality of life through economic development is particularly relevant for the Global South.

China’s smart city initiatives emphasize fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring development benefits all citizens. Many smart cities in China support specific industrial clusters, such as technology, manufacturing, or tourism. For example, Shenzhen has become a global tech hub, attracting investment and creating jobs. Smart cities also support startups and SMEs by providing infrastructure, incubators, and financing. This focus on local economic development and improving quality of life is highly relevant for countries like Indonesia. While Western cities prioritize sustainability and public participation, China’s emphasis on social stability and economic growth resonates with many developing nations seeking to uplift their citizens.

Investment and Partnership Strategies

The Smart Cities Mission in India serves as an example of effective investment in smart city projects. Over $7 billion has been allocated to smart city projects across 100 cities, improving access to clean water, sanitation, and affordable housing for millions of people. In Rwanda, the ‘Irembo’ platform now provides online access to over 100 government services for more than 90% of the population, while Nairobi’s ‘County Command and Control Centre’ has helped reduce crime and improve emergency response times.

China’s ability to attract private and foreign investment for smart city projects has been a major factor in its success. By adopting innovative financing models and partnering with international investors, China has accelerated infrastructure development and technology transfer. Countries in the Global South can benefit by following similar strategies to advance their smart city projects. Compared to other BRICS countries, China’s proactive engagement in foreign partnerships has allowed for rapid growth, making it a model for nations seeking to expedite smart city development.

Relevant Case Studies from China

The success of China’s smart city initiatives can be better understood by examining specific examples. These case studies highlight how different cities have leveraged technology to enhance urban management, economic growth, and sustainability. By looking at these examples, other nations can see how adaptable strategies can address their unique urban challenges and further their development goals.

• Hangzhou: The City Brain platform has contributed to economic growth by enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing costs associated with traffic issues.
• Shenzhen: The city has implemented an efficient, environmentally friendly public transportation system, demonstrating the role smart city technologies can play in achieving sustainability goals.
• Shanghai: Smart grid technology has increased energy efficiency by 10% and reduced carbon emissions by 15%, helping the city move towards sustainability goals.

Conclusion

In addition to China’s experience, smart city initiatives in other regions have also shown promising results:

• India: The Smart Cities Mission has allocated over $7 billion for projects that improve essential services such as water, sanitation, and affordable housing, benefiting millions of people.
• Rwanda: The ‘Irembo’ platform has enabled over 90% of the population to access government services online, improving transparency and efficiency.
• Kenya: The ‘Nairobi County Command and Control Centre’ has reduced crime and improved emergency response times.
• Colombia: Medellin’s smart city initiatives have reduced crime rates by 80% and improved access to public transport.
• Brazil: Rio de Janeiro’s early warning flood system has saved numerous lives by providing timely alerts.

China’s Role in Promoting Smart City Development in BRICS

At the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, 2024, BRICS announced the addition of 13 new partner countries, including Indonesia. This expansion marks a significant growth of the bloc and highlights BRICS’ increasing influence on the global stage. The new partner countries are Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Being a BRICS partner, though not a full member, opens doors for greater collaboration with BRICS nations in various fields, such as trade and investment, infrastructure development, political cooperation, and technology transfer. These collaborations can enhance market access, encourage infrastructure projects, strengthen coordination on global issues, and facilitate the exchange of technology and knowledge.

China is often seen as a leading country in smart city development, although ‘success’ can be interpreted in different ways. Key factors contributing to China’s success include extensive technology deployment, strong data integration, scale and speed of implementation, a focus on innovation, and improvements in quality of life. China could further enhance its smart city narrative within the BRICS context by sharing its experiences and success stories. Promoting collaboration and best practices would position China as a leader in the smart city agenda for BRICS.

This could involve technology transfer, joint investments, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to help other BRICS members adapt China’s smart city strategies. However, challenges may arise due to differing governance structures and political systems among BRICS nations. Addressing these challenges would be essential for successful cooperation and collective progress.

The Global South, including countries like Indonesia, can learn from China’s experience in areas such as technology adoption, system integration, and economic growth. While China’s model offers valuable lessons, adapting these strategies to local contexts is crucial, especially given data privacy, public participation, and sustainability concerns.

Additionally, the centralized nature of China’s model may not fit the diverse political structures found in many Global South countries, requiring modifications. Moreover, while data privacy and public participation are mentioned as challenges, a deeper analysis of the potential negative impacts of China’s model is needed—particularly regarding surveillance and civil liberties.

Governments in the Global South that operate democratic systems must understand the boundaries related to privacy and mitigate potential social costs. Transparency in public communication is also necessary to reduce potential conflicts. The solutions for these partnerships are explained below, such as joint technology development, capacity-building initiatives, and infrastructure co-investments.

These partnerships present opportunities, such as technology transfer, economic growth, and accelerating the achievement of net carbon emission goals, and challenges, including aligning governance frameworks and ensuring equitable benefits. By blending rapid innovation with community-centric policies, developing nations can create effective, inclusive, and sustainable smart cities.