Open access to data and connectivity are the fundamental elements of a smart city. Open access to data allows companies and citizens to use information to develop new services, products and business methods, thus contributing to common progress. Through open access to data and the possibility of real-time connectivity, smart cities become more efficient, thus supporting the need for close cooperation between the public and private sectors, and active community engagement. Smart cities are not only limited to technologies, but also involve changing the mentality of citizens. So, it is essential that all the made investments contribute to people’s wellbeing. These aspects were highlighted at the forum “Promotion of smart cities in the Republic of Moldova”, organized in Chisinau, IPN reports.
State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization Catalina Plinschi said that connectivity is the essential element of the smart city concept, taking into account all aspects of privacy and protection of personal data. “Only by working together, we can empower civil society, businesses so as to adapt innovations. Strong connectivity leads to the real application of these solutions,” stated the official. Catalina Plinschi underlined the importance of UNDP’s investments in Moldovan cities, especially through the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Program, which transforms cities so that the citizens have a prosperous future.
Deputy Head of Cooperation within the European Union Delegation to Moldova Adam Grodzicki said that the European Union is a firm supporter of Moldova. Projects empowering citizens to use technologies to create a better place are absolutely welcome and benefit from the EU’s support. He referred specifically to the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Program that supports the development of Smart City platforms in Ungheni and Cahul. After four years of implementation of the program, remarkable results were achieved, such as improving citizens’ access to services, a higher level of involvement in the labour market.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova Andrea Cuzyova said that UNDP supports digital transformation at all levels, both central and local. “We believe that urban spaces must provide a better quality of life for the entire population, for all businesses operating in this urban space. So, smart approaches are ideal for this goal. Respectively, this forum is a wonderful opportunity to discuss what smart urban space means, what smart urban development means and to exchange views, to see what has been implemented, what data, technologies have been used and what the steps of innovation are,” noted Andrea Cuzyova.
The EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Program supports smart, inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development in Cahul and Ungheni regions in order to ensure a better quality of life for the citizens. The program is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
