Business2.08.2010

World’s first digital eco-city in China

Nokia Siemens Networks provides consulting on building digital infrastructure into city planning

DigiEcoCity Ltd has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide consulting services for the planned digital eco-city called DigiEcoCity in Gongqing in the Jiangxi Province of China. The partnership is aimed at developing Gongqing into a model city based on the principles of sustainable development that uses digital technology* to provide a high-quality of life to its residents. DigiEcoCity Ltd is a Nordic firm specializing in planning and building sustainable living and working environments with enhanced digital services.

“The Gongqing DigiEcoCity project is a result of our collaboration with the Gongqing city to develop the best place to live that will serve as the benchmark for future DigiEcoCities,” said Heikki Lassila, vice president of operations at DigiEcoCity Ltd. “The prime difference with other similar projects is incorporation of digital infrastructure design into the early phase of city planning. Nokia Siemens Networks will bring the much-needed knowledge in this area to help us realize our aim faster.”

Nokia SiemensNetworks will provide consultancy services on business model and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) architecture design for Gongqing DigiEcoCity with a focus on smart metering, energy management and ICT infrastructure.

“As a result of growing urbanization, half of the population on the planet live in cities and this will rise by a further 1.3 billion by 2025. While it is important to provide a better quality of life for urban citizens, the impact of urbanization on the environment must be minimized,” added Mark Atkinson, head of business development at Nokia Siemens Networks China. “Communications technology can play a pivotal role in realizing these twin goals by helping develop smarter cities.”

When completed, the Gongqing DigiEcoCity will have close to 100,000 residents, with ‘Digi’ and ‘Eco’ thinking integrated in all stages of its design. ‘Digi’ and ‘Eco’ thinking proposes to design a city by keeping several key factors in consideration to ensure minimal environmental impact, including minimal dependence on excessive external energy sources, minimal waste production and minimal pollution.

Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter