Kuching North gains Level 1 smart city status, targets Level 2
Digital services, traffic technology and a satellite-data collaboration form part of the city commission’s urban management programme.
Kuching North has received Level 1 recognition under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government’s Smart City Rating Criteria and is working towards Level 2, according to Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, caretaker minister in the Premier’s Department.
Speaking at the Sarawak Urban Forum 2.0 in Kuching, Abdul Rahman said the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) was using digital services and technology to make urban administration more efficient. Its initiatives include smart street lighting, traffic signals, a Geographic Information System and closed-circuit television systems. He said DBKU was also extending service delivery through its i-DBKU platform.
A memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian Space Agency creates opportunities to apply satellite data and space technology to managing the city, monitoring the environment, planning land use and handling disasters, he said.
Abdul Rahman also called for Kuching’s modernisation to retain its historic character and cultural distinctiveness. He said development needed to balance environmental protection, heritage and community welfare, with progress assessed through residents’ quality of life and the needs of both current and future generations, rather than buildings, infrastructure or economic growth alone.
