Smart cities can give us a greener future. Digital technologies change how we manage urban spaces and community interaction. They allow cities to be more sustainable, competitive and transparent in urban governance, improving quality of life for residents.

What defines a smart city?

Smart cities offer a systematic approach to manage natural, energy, and urban resources, promote sustainable economic development, and improve living standards.

It was ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), that, in 2015, agreed on the definition of a smart, sustainable city, which has since become a benchmark.

But transforming a regular city into a smart city is complex. Fast-moving technology and business models bring uncertainties, and urban authorities find it challenging to make informed decisions. By standardizing smart city concepts, we improve coordination across sectors in digitizing urban infrastructure.

Smart cities: Keystones for national digital development

In Belarus, smart city technologies are part of all major programmatic and strategic documents for the country’s socioeconomic development.

National standards guide digitalization of urban infrastructure, with criteria and models to enable effective management decisions.

Since 2021, the Open Joint Stock Company Giprosvyaz has been developing digital standards, including smart cities. This allows Belarus to align with global trends, based on advanced international practices. The state standardization plan is updated annually to account for changing country realities and emerging digital trends.

Where ITU makes an impact

In Belarus, our standards for smart cities are shaped by ITU recommendations, ISO standards and technical reports, and national standards from other countries.

ITU’s role is invaluable. ITU-T, supported by experts from around the world, are key elements of the global digital infrastructure, including the smart city concept and the regulation of the Internet of Things, including machine-to-machine communication, wireless sensor networks, and smart, sustainable cities and communities.