Charles Mok argues that Hong Kong needs a shift in mindset to become a truly smart city. He outlines opportunities that open data presents for improving transportation systems by allowing real-time traffic information. However, Hong Kong currently lacks open data and data sharing between government departments. Mok calls for increased coordination, updated laws, and a review of current infrastructure to allow innovation. The priorities for developing Hong Kong as a smart city include talent, funding, culture, infrastructure, markets, and reducing barriers between government and innovation.

1. Smart City:
A Call for a Shift in Mindset
Charles Mok
Legislative Councillor (Information Technology)
2016.4.14 HK Electronics Symposium

2. What does a better, more
livable, smarter Hong Kong
look like?

3. Smart grid, smart home, smart living

4. Transportation:
as an example

5. Commuters wants traffic info on the go

6. ...drivers too
wazewaze

7. The possibilities are endless
• gather information about commuter travel and traffic habits
• allows city planners and engineers to divert traffic to less
congested routes
• connected car technology and real-time traffic information
• improve transport outcomes and traffic management, such as
transport productivity, safety, reliability, and
• reduce traffic congestion

8. Upgrade of TIS in the
next few years to
support real time data,
analytics, and…
Open data?

9. HK Govt’s own route search app for passengers and drivers

11. No Open Data, No Smart City
What can developers use at present?
Available for free - items in transport:
● Journey time indicators
● Speed map panels
● Traffic snapshot images
● Traffic speed map
● Routes and fares of public transport
● MTR routes, fares and barrier-free facilities
● Electric vehicle charging station locations

12. Overseas: government-led support to sharing real time data/API

13. Hong Kong: Catching Up and Moving Forward
Increase the Wi-Fi
hotspots to over
30,000 in Hong
Kong.

14. What do we need?
• coordination of cross-department policies
• making available real-time traffic data from service providers
• data released in interoperable formats
• user’s and application developer’s active use of these data
• updated laws that allow room for new intelligent products and services
• review the limitations of road and public transport system capacity

15. Mindset change needed: all about execution and coordination
Before talking about “Blueprint” of Smart City…
Can we first address the current silo situation?
New Franchise for Bus Companies
• Push the transport companies to release more traffic data?
Static data: bus routes, bus stops and schedules, fares and discounts etc.
Dynamic data: real-time bus location, arrival time etc.
Electronic Road Pricing Pilot Scheme
• Use decade-old technology or latest available technology?
• Release real-time traffic data for developers, analyst and research?
• Enhance cross-departmental cooperation?

16. Time to rethink?
Vision Facilitating trials Measurement Iteration
A big plan Execution (Measurement?)

17. Encouraging moves towards changes
• Update regulations
• Promote govt and FI adoption in
new tech
• Incentives to drive investment in
FinTech
• Nurture ICT talents

18. What are the
priorities to
develop
Smart City in
Hong Kong?
Talent
Funding
Culture
Infrastructure
Market
Government

19. Challenges
1.Laws VS Innovation
2.Clarity vs Regulator-rules-all
3.Govt: intervention VS laissez-
faire
4.Fear of failure / lack of risk-
taking
5.Internal champion in the
government
6.Open-mindedness
7.Public-private partnerships

20. Opportunities
in Hong Kong
Data
centre
hub
Energy
Transport
FinTech
Smart
living
Healthcare

21. Thank you.
charlesmok@charlesmok.hk
Facebook: Charles Mok 莫乃光
Website: www.charlesmok.hk