Smart City is an innovative approach in urban administration which involves application of technology-based solutions to efficiently cope with problems related to infrastructure of the city. When it comes to developing city of Miri, it has to embrace such model in order to preserve competitiveness and wellbeing of its citizens.
The smart city programme adopted by Miri can be viewed as an innovative move under the digital transformation framework due to the fact that this is done through collaboration between the Miri City Council (MCC) and the Sarawak government. This is a pilot programme for all smart city programmes in the state.
Miri Smart City Proof of Concept (MSCP) can be regarded as one of the key factors that will ensure successful transition into the new era of development. It is due to the fact that the MSCP offers innovative solutions to improve operational processes and take care about the environment.
Digital brain network for the city
The Miri Smart City Command Centre (MSCCC), officially launched by the Premier of Sarawak Dato' Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari Tun Openg recently, is the digital brain network for the creation of the city. The principal element of the network is the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence network that operates around the clock with more than 410 mixed reality cameras that can trace the movements of any object within a radius of three kilometres.
Through its innovative “Smart City” program, Miri has set a precedent in Sarawak and can be considered the first example of such an urban development strategy in the region, becoming a benchmark for further transformation and advancement in urban planning and service provision.
Smart-city model worthy of emulation
Acknowledging the effectiveness of the digital-oriented strategy, the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg has praised Miri’s success and he hopes that other cities and towns in Sarawak will follow emulate Miri and adopt the latter’s ‘smart- city model’
Integration of all services of the city such as traffic, emergencies, security and utility management in one digital platform improves the city management system. Being focused on such things as digital connectivity, traffic control and efficient resource distribution, it offers necessary basis for the transition.
Consistent with the PCDS 2030 of Sarawak, the Miri City Council (MCC) is undertaking an innovative transformational process to position Miri City as an exemplary and sustainable smart international resort city.
Human-centric vision for the future
The metamorphosis that the Miri City Council (MCC) is undergoing goes beyond just technological enhancements or digitization of their municipal systems. In essence, this is the process of prioritizing the well-being of the citizens above anything else.
As such, the citizens' needs become the primary factor for each of the policies introduced by the MCC, allowing them to combine the two processes – fast digitalization and real human development. This way, these processes become tools for improving the citizens' quality of life rather than ends in themselves.
Digitalization in the strategies undertaken by the council is bringing about the innovative changes in urban lifestyle for the betterment of the local residents. Thanks to digital programmes such as the Sarawak Smart City App and the Miri CARES,
Multiple services accessible
Miri residents can now access various council services easily. Moreover, the implementation of innovations related to smart infrastructure such as the Smart Drain and the Smart Truck helps to deal with pressing challenges facing cities such as floods and dirtiness of the cities.
In the end, the essence of the Miri City Council (MCC) philosophy revolves around the realization that what makes an excellent city is neither its infrastructure nor anything else; rather, it is the agency of its people. By valuing the idea of placing the people at the heart of all urban activities, the Miri City Council
recognizes the importance of giving a sense of agency and ownership to its people in order for it to fully realize its potential.
Here, the city council realizes the need to shift its attention from management to active engagement of its people in making the urban area better, thus making it more alive and vital in nature. Throught its commitment to making safety, accessibility, and serviceability the priority, the council is not only creating a new environment in Miri but an ecosystem where everyone is looked after and respected.
Linking technological progress with everyday life
The focus on humans ensures that the introduction of technology and the use of information technology in governance and improving infrastructure does not end up being a process in itself but is done with the aim of making life better for people.
Unlike other cities' smart models, the model of Miri is distinguished by the use of a human-centred approach to urban development, which helps the city to link the sphere of technological progress with everyday life of its citizens.
Thus, the city does not view the digital revolution as the final result but rather employs various smart technologies for improving the quality of life of its population, for the provision of different services, and for creating an environment, which is comfortable for everyone. Focusing on the well-being of its society, the city of Miri paves the way to further development.
