Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Five of seven of the first Zhuhai smart city projects were in use as of the end of last year, providing more precise urban management information through exceptional data processing and analysis.

The Zhuhai comprehensive smart service platform, cloud computing center, and a smart traffic management platform developed by Guangdong Chengzhi Technology are operational, as are an information management system recording underground pipeline survey results and an energy consumption monitoring platform for buildings.

Pleasant changes have come to many aspects of people's lives in a short time period since the initiation of services. Smoother road traffic is adding to travel convenience and an all-in-one mobile app is providing handy services to the public, both developments making life easier and better.

The intelligent transportation management platform is an all-round-clock inspector who keeps an eye on pedestrian flow, traffic streams, and road conditions in key areas. Though the platform itself just became operational last November, its operating principle based on big data analysis proved effective at the 11th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2016. Many visitors to the expo were impressed with the platform's orderly traffic control and easy-to-use services.

Zhuhai Intelligent Industrial Park is being constructed in the Zhuhai National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Tangjiawan) as a major industry carrier for intelligent businesses. [Photo courtesy cityofzhuhai.com]

The smart city projects include the world's most advanced signal coordination control system, still under construction. A major advance in reducing traffic congestion, it will be capable of collecting traffic parameters from 111 main road intersections and accordingly making real-time adjustments of traffic lights. Traffic efficiency will be increased by 15 percent to 30 percent.

At present, the system's central control platform has been established, and tested at Renmin Road, Jiuzhou Avenue, Lovers Road and other major junctions. Completion of the entire project is due for March this year.

Another project sure to benefit people is the introduction of the intelligent civilian service platform. Incorporating handling of government affairs, property services and information sharing on culture, education, and travel, the online program is available on mobile apps, its official website, and cable television. Residents in more than 140 communities are applauding the innovative measure. The developer has promised continual updating of the program, revealing plans for additional functions such as searches of social security, bus information enquiries, and making online appointments with doctors.

The Smart Zhuhai Cloud Computing Center will be the main source of increased wisdom and efficiency for the Zhuhai government. It is already providing it with information about technological infrastructure.

Some 23 government departments have registered for 43 systems at the center, which is so far functioning well in integrating and sharing data, according to a project leader.

For example, thanks to the system, relevant departments were able to get a comprehensive record of the city's underground pipelines. This will be an important reference for long-term urban construction planning and hence improve the level of civic management. Moreover, there is a remote meter reading system which can not only read statistical records automatically, but also be turned on or off in the event of a system failure.

A "digital government" for Zhuhai is high on the work agenda and is to push forward the information integration process for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In September 2017, Zhuhai was placed sixth of 293 cities by the China Center for Urban Development in its 2017 Report on the Assessment of Smart City Development Levels.