AP set to showcase its smart city initiatives at Barcelona global expo

The initiatives taken by Andhra Pradesh Government for developing capital city of Amaravati, main financial and technological hub Visakhapatnam, port city of Kakinada and world famous pilgrimage centre of Tirupati into smart cities will be explained in detail at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC)-2025 being held in Barcelona in Spain during November 4 to 6.

The State has successfully completed most of the projects for building sustainable, resilient technology-driven cities with thrust on solid waste management, use of renewable energy, recycling of water and waste for creating value and adoption of LED light systems and solar lighting, smart traffic system and smart classrooms in the schools. Nearly Rs.6,000 crore worth projects are under implementation in the four cities under various programmes.

The government issued a GO allowing Municipal Administration and Urban Development Secretary S. Suresh Kumar to address the Barcelona conference touted as the world's biggest and most influential event on urban innovation.. Since 2011, the Smart City Expo World Congress being held in Barcelona has remained a platform for key stakeholders to share their stories, ideas and experiences for crafting urban legacy and improving urban lifestyle by improving the happiness index. The smart city initiative also focuses on integrated ublic services and facilitating digital transformation. A park developed under the plan for physically challenged children named 'all ability park' on the panoramic beach road in Visakhapatnam has won appreciation at various fora.

Suresh Kumar will address the event as a distinguished speaker from India. The senior bureaucrat will lead a three-member official delegation, comprising Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg and Tirupati Municipal Corporation Commissioner Narapureddy Mourya, to the SCEWC-2025. Delegates from over 850 cities spread over 130 countries are expected to attend the annual event that has been helping shape smart and sustainable urban development. Four other major events – Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow.Building World Congress, Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress and Barcelona Deep Tech Summit – will be organised in Barcelona, which the AP delegation will attend.

Suresh Kumar, during his stint as Private Secretary to the then Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, was one of the key officers who articulated the Smart Cities Plan that was rolled out in 2015 across India. After a significant stint in the Union Urban Development Ministry, Suresh Kumar is now spearheading the urban transformation initiatives in Andhra Pradesh as Principal Secretary, MAUD Department.

Fira Barcelona International, aided by Spain, Europe and World Bank, is organising the SCEWC for the 14th successive year. “The Andhra Pradesh Government has launched far-reaching initiatives for urban development, housing and mobility to achieve economic growth, inclusivity and sustainability by providing world-class services to the citizens. These efforts are being appreciated worldwide,” the event organiser Fira Barcelona noted.

The SCEWC will offer a unique platform for the stakeholders from the government, public sector in India to gain innovative technologies and solutions for better smart cities and urban mobility for the benefit of citizens. Greater Visakhapatnam and Tirupati are two of four smart cities in AP, which will now get to showcase their achievements on a global platform.

“There are many smart cities in different countries which offer us a learning experience on various models. We can replicate some of those models in the urban local bodies in the state to enhance living conditions through smart interventions,” Suresh Kumar said.

Government-to-government and government-to-business meetings have also been lined up coinciding with the main event.