ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund

Join the 10th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue on 30 November and help unpack the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) that will guide the growth of an inclusive and competitive digital economy in the region.

Deputy Ambassador of the Australian Mission to ASEAN Caroline Scott is one of the speakers. The study on the ASEAN DEFA is supported by the Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative.

To learn more and to register, see details below ⬇

Save the Date! Unpack the ASEAN DEFA on 30 November, including its policy implications as well as business aspirations at the 10th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue. Register your spot before 20 November on this https://bit.ly/10thAECDialogue-DEFA !

Read the Study on the ASEAN DEFA (https://bit.ly/ASEANforBusiness_Oct2023) and be ready for the discussion!

: To all our current learners for our e-learning course, Increasing Livability: An Introduction to Smart Cities, thank you for joining! 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟯𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆) 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲. 🎓

Otherwise, you can wait for the updated course we will be launching in December. The course will have a new format with updated interactive features. Stay tuned for that! ✨

This means the original/old course will be retired, and any progress made there will not be transferred. Learners, ongoing and new, will need to enroll in the new course to take the modules.

If you would like to keep your 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 progress, please make sure to complete the course as soon as you can before end of the month!

You can access the course here ➡ https://elearn.adb.org/enrol/index.php?id=349

AASCTF e-learning course on Increasing Livability: An Introduction to Smart Cities Welcome to the first AASCTF e-learning course, called Increasing Livability: An Introduction to Smart Cities. This free online course introduces the concept ...

🆕 ADB has always been a staunch supporter of the ASEAN. Through the years, ADB has pursued regional cooperation and integration in Southeast Asia by focusing priorities on three pillars: growth, green recovery, and inclusion.

AASCTF is one of many programs and initiatives that ADB has provided or administered for the region. ADB manages the $13.95 million trust fund, financed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to build livable, green, competitive, inclusive, and resilient cities.

Learn more in this new ADB Publications brochure ⬇️ https://www.adb.org/publications/adb-role-growth-green-recovery-inclusion-asean

ADB’s Role in Promoting Growth, Green Recovery, and Inclusion in ASEAN This brochure outlines how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is partnering with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen regional cooperation and integration to help drive growth, a green recovery, and inclusion.

Intentionality is a vital part of creating inclusive cities, says Sumaya Saluja of The Asia Foundation. This drives how cities are governed and designed, and ensuring everyone has the same access to opportunities.

Spark that intention and become a champion for cities for all today! Take our inclusive cities online course ➡️ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

For more info ➡️ https://seads.adb.org/events/cities-all-introduction-inclusive-cities

Tushar Pradhan, a disaster risk management professional, is one of many learners taking our smart data management online course. Here he shares the value of expanding your knowledge. ⬇️

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/er-tushar-pradhan-431a1832_elearnings-webinars-onlinecourses-activity-7062675114093395968-cWKs/

Join our course today and learn about the vital role data plays in urban development, from data collection and storage to data security, analysis, and decision-making.

Simply create an account in the ADB eLearn website to enroll in this AASCTF course: https://bit.ly/enrollAASCTFdatacourse

The 6th ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) Annual Meeting was convened in Bali last July. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Assistant Director for the ASEAN Programs Section Jack Finegan delivered a presentation on the AASCTF, sharing how our work complements the ASEAN Smart Cities Framework and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy.

In a pre-recorded address, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn highlighted 3 key points to advance ASEAN’s efforts in promoting smart and sustainable cities:
1️⃣ share knowledge and learnings within and between cities and with national governments
2️⃣ strengthen cooperation in evidence-based city planning and management
3️⃣ promote more public-private-people partnerships to seize smart city opportunities

Learn more about ASCN and the annual meeting ⬇️ https://asean.org/asean-smart-cities-network-steps-up-efforts-on-promoting-smart-sustainable-cities/

ASEAN Smart Cities Network steps up efforts on promoting smart, sustainable cities ASEAN organs always strive to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat shall be functioned as coordinating Secretariat to help facilitate effective decision-making withing and amongst ASEAN bodies. In addition, each Member State shall appoint a...

: How do we bring in young people to participate in urban development? In Mongolia, an ADB project is empowering the youth to create an inclusive, livable city. To address the challenges they face, it was important to first have an enabling environment for meaningful engagement, followed by supporting youth-led community initiatives.

The project also focused on the development of youth-led methodologies and tools to gather and analyze data on youth development and ger youth issues, such as preparing a youth situational analysis, which consisted of multi-dimensional poverty and social analysis, gender analysis, and labor market assessment for youth in the ger areas.

A key factor for empowerment was deploying an intergenerational research team to co-develop the methodology and carry out data collection activities.

To learn more, read this ADB case study ⬇️ https://development.asia/case-study/empowering-young-people-creating-inclusive-and-livable-city

Empowering Young People in Creating an Inclusive and Livable City A project in Mongolia mobilized ger youth to take an active role in community development.

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🎉 Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan 🎊 Indonesia is the current chair of the The ASEAN Secretariat for 2023. We're proud to support the country towards attaining smart livable cities. AASCTF participating cities in 🇮🇩 are Makassar, Semarang, Palembang, and Pontianak.

Majority of our work is concentrated on our city-level intervention with Makassar, developing the Makassar Livable City Plan, and with the twinning program between Makassar and the City of Gold Coast in Australia.

To learn more, see the latest updates in our 2022 Annual Progress Report ⬇ https://events.development.asia/materials/20230703/aasctf-annual-progress-report-2022

Asian Development Bank - Indonesia Dinas KOMINFO Kota Makassar Australian Consulate-General, Makassar, Sulawesi

Imagine avoiding going to the bathroom for fear of intimidation or harassment. For some, it means not drinking water for bouts of time, or getting a severe kidney infection, or others perhaps worse.

"Sanitation, which many people take for granted, can be a serious challenge for sexual and gender minorities." Aside from stereotyping and societal norms, it can also be due to lack of inclusive infrastructure, according to experts in this ADB blog on inclusive sanitation. ⬇

https://blogs.adb.org/blog/it-time-bathrooms-asia-and-pacific-accommodate-people-all-genders

In the blog, there are basic actions that can be taken to address this. And to complement this, for a deeper understanding of the issues and to learn a holistic approach to advance not only inclusive sanitation but also inclusive cities, try our online course ➡ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

It is Time for Bathrooms in Asia and the Pacific to Accommodate People of All Genders | Asian Development Blog Social inclusion It is Time for Bathrooms in Asia and the Pacific to Accommodate People of All Genders Sexual and gender minorities have special needs in terms of sanitation.   Subscribe to Newsletter   Audio Hub   By Alexandra Conroy, Shuvechha Khadka Sexual and gender minorities, sometimes iden...

How can we support small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs and enable them to contribute to urban resilience? Join the ADB Southeast Asia Development Solutions - SEADS webinar with the Resilient Cities Network and ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia on "Empowering SMEs for Urban Resilience".

📅 23 August, Wednesday
🕙 10:00 a.m. (SIN/KUL)
💻 https://seads.adb.org/events/empowering-smes-urban-resilience

Kyaw Thu, ADB urban development specialist and also AASCTF program manager, will be one of the speakers at the webinar. See the list below for other speakers included and to register. ⬇️

SMEs are the key to . Join us for a webinar on how to empower them to withstand shocks and stresses.

The webinar will explore the importance of collaboration between and small and .

It will feature case studies and discussions about strengthening both businesses and urban resilience.

⏰ DATE: 23 August, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (SGT)
📱REGISTER: https://seads.adb.org/events/empowering-smes-urban-resilience

Speakers:

✅ Kyaw Thu, Urban Development Specialist, ADB
✅ Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network
✅ Nini Purwajati, Senior Manager, Programs and Knowledge, Asia–Pacific, Resilient Cities Network
✅ Andhika Ajie, CEO, Center for Research & Innovation Regional Development Planning Agency, Jakarta Government
✅ Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Director, Research Strategy and Innovation, ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

: Four scenarios were developed for Stage 1 of our Penang Smart Mobility Micro-Simulation Model project with Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang - MBPP and Digital Penang:

🚴 Pedestrian & cyclist priority
🚦 Traffic improvements
🚌 Public transport improvements
🏗️ Traffic impact of new development

These scenarios are tested in the calibrated pilot area micro-simulation model and proposed detailed interventions for each scenario are presented in the AASCTF Penang Scenario Testing Report. ⬇ By testing these scenarios through the micro-simulation model, local authorities in Penang will be able to have an efficient tool to check and assess the implications of developer plans, and improve the implementation and enforcement of transportation policies, as well as better communicate implications of transport policies and solutions to decision-makers, developers, and to the public.

Read the report here ⬇
https://events.development.asia/materials/20221028/penang-smart-mobility-micro-simulation-model-development

The AASCTF team is in Penang this week to further discuss improvements and capacity building for the micro-simulation model.

Penang Smart Mobility Micro-Simulation Model Development - This report provides a detailed description of the four testing scenarios being considered for the pilot area and information on the study methodology adopted to develop micro-simulation models for all four scenarios. It also summarizes the key model measurement results for the assessment of all the...

Considering the lived experiences of marginalized groups is an integral part of making cities inclusive. Our Cities for All course not only teaches the concepts and challenges of gender equality and social inclusion, but it also highlights experiences and inspiring efforts from the likes of Dr. Ishak Salim, co-founder of an NGO that supports persons with disabilities.

Dr. Salim was also a speaker in Module 3 of our Inclusive Cities Dialogues (under Cohort A), where he talked about the employment issues faced by persons with disabilities during and after the pandemic. You can find his presentation here ⬇ https://events.development.asia/materials/20230712/aasctf-smart-cities-inclusive-cities-capacity-building-program-module-3-report

Thank you for the kind words, Dr. Ishak Salim! May these motivate more people to take the course and advocate for fair and equal access to inclusive spaces, services, and opportunities.

JOIN THE COURSE ➡ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

See how AASCTF is supporting Baguio in the Philippines to integrate a gender-transformative approach for its smart flood early warning system (FEWS) to ensure the system works for all, especially the most vulnerable. 🇵🇭

This complementary project to the main FEWS project began with a gender and inclusion study, followed by developing recommendations based on the study's findings, and finally preparing draft practical actions that the city can potentially implement – and through the whole process working closely with the local government and key stakeholders to embed their experiences, local knowledge, and ownership.

Download the reports ⤵️
1⃣ https://bit.ly/BaguioGESIStudy
2⃣ https://bit.ly/BaguioGESIPolicyBrief
3⃣ https://bit.ly/BaguioGESIActions

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, managed by Asian Development Bank, and implemented by Ramboll with Practical Action Consulting.

Baguio City Public Information Office ADB Philippines

One of the first projects AASCTF completed was in Kaysone Phomvihane, Lao PDR 🇱🇦 back in 2021. AASCTF delivered a pre-feasibility study on the potential use of a digital platform and e-learning modules, as well as looking into gamification, to equip graduates with the practical skills required by the labor market.

For Palita, then a student at Savannakhet University, she said: "I think this project will make looking for a job easier, helping us become more prepared and more confident in ourselves."

Watch here ⬇️ https://youtu.be/C_3auzkA7yk

Digital Tools Help Students Reach the Labor Market in Lao PDR (English subtitles) With the support of the ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund, Kaysone in Lao PDR is pilot-testing digital tools that will teach students the skills needed...

One of the critical factors in the success of the AASCTF Baguio smart flood early warning system (FEWS) project has been building the local government’s capacity to operate and utilize the FEWS effectively beyond the pilot project’s timeframe.

Eleven professionals were selected to participate in this targeted capacity building program. Of the 11, 5 staff members from the local government unit constituted the “core group”. They will have the main responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the FEWS. Meanwhile, a “peer group” comprising 6 professionals from local public institutions, such as PAGASA, DOST - CAR, and two local universities were also selected for the program to support the core group.

Find out what they learned and had to say about the program here ⬇
https://www.livablecities.info/baguio-resilient-model-capacity-building

ADB Philippines Baguio City Public Information Office Baguio C.D.R.R.M.C.-Disaster Operations Center (Official)

Toward a sustainable smart flood early warning system: A resilient model for capacity building The year-long “Targeted Capacity Building Program to Enhance Delivery of a Sustainable FEWS” component was added to the AASCTF Baguio pilot project in December 2021 to ensure the program’s continued success and long-term viability. The “Baguio City Smart Flood Warning, Information, and Mitig...

Luang Prabang was the royal capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia from the 1350s to the early 1700s. 👑 Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a renowned tourist destination. Luang Prabang seeks to preserve its heritage and culture while aspiring for growth that benefits its people.

AASCTF has been supporting Luang Prabang since last year, as the city develops a smart and integrated urban strategy. Aside from rapid urbanization, mass tourism, and the development of megaprojects, several other factors have provided impetus for the strategy, such as:

🌄 Overcrowding at key attraction sites, such as Mount Phousi at sunset, posing safety concerns to visitors
🚘 Increased traffic congestion on narrow streets
🏗 Wetlands and ponds being filled with soil and used for new urban development, which negatively impacts Luang Prabang’s greenery and local sense of place

Learn more about other urban stresses affecting Luang Prabang, its overall context, and the city's aspirations in the Inception Report for this AASCTF project. Download here ⬇ https://events.development.asia/materials/20220729/luang-prabang-smart-and-integrated-urban-strategy-inception-report

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, managed by Asian Development Bank, and implemented by Ramboll.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to “respecting the rights and dignity of every individual,“ says Sofia Castelo, Technical Advisor for Climate Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions at Think City, and one of our speakers at the final inclusive cities event.

“Gender equality and social inclusion are essential characteristics of an inclusive city. In terms of gender equality, research has confirmed extensively that the more women participate in a society, the better the outcomes are for all citizens. Gender equality and social inclusion are key in creating cities that are fair, just, and sustainable, and they also ensure that cities are designed and governed in a way that benefits all residents, promoting equal opportunities...“

Here at AASCTF, we couldn't agree more. See more insights from Sofia and learn about respecting the rights of every person, especially the marginalized, through our e-learning course, Cities for All: An Introduction to Inclusive Cities ➡️ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

Great news from Kaysone Phomvihane, Lao PDR! 🇱🇦 The Kaysone Self-Learning mobile app was launched last week, led by Savannakhet Province Deputy Governor Lingthong Sengtavanh and Kaysone Phomvihane City Mayor Prasongsin Chaleunsouk, with First Secretary of Australia in Laos Robin Flint and Renedy Budiman, Head of Operation Unit at the ADB Lao PDR Resident Mission.

Different levels of government also attended, as well as various sectors of Kaysone, including representatives of universities, representatives and employees of private companies, colleges, public and private students, and parents.

This app is a new type of learning tool for Savannakhet Province, made especially for tertiary graduates and young jobseekers who want to improve their chances of securing jobs and kickstarting their careers.

Supported by AASCTF, with funding from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Kaysone Self-Learning app contains modules, videos, and other helpful guides and materials on 4 essential skills for employment: skills to improve their job application, how to handle negotiations, and interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

All the materials in the app are available in both Lao and English, and you can download the app in both Google Play Store and Apple's App Store:
📲 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.e.learning.app.elearning&hl=en_US&pli=1
📲 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kaysone-self-learning/id6449041005

Download and try the app today!

For more info, read this local news story ⬇️ https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid032TVvCR26Vd3M12yGwVC8wzfiQ95pynzqYesrPSNaB7Lmh3zDuxZrHhfXgyCMxfjkl&id=100066895819402&sfnsn=wa&mibextid=VhDh1V

See also the post from the Australian Embassy in Lao PDR ⬇️ https://www.facebook.com/australiainlaos/posts/pfbid027RVFZJo3ssam7XhAAATr4JZD7KRo1kzyoF7xMHtfCWdSnry1StTgtQ2e9ePH1EtDl

Start the week right, join our community of smart city champions and like-minded peers all striving for smart livable cities. 💪

One of the latest champions who completed our course is Farabi Yussoff, Head of Smart City at PLANMalaysia, which is the Town and Country Planning Department under the Malaysian Government's Ministry of Local Government Development. He says, “[The AASCTF course is] an important foundation prior to starting any smart city plan and implementation.”

Try our course today and become a smart city champion! 🏆

Register in the ADB eLearn website to join the course:
English version ➡️ https://bit.ly/AASCTFcourse
Bahasa version ➡️ https://elearn.adb.org/enrol/index.php?id=454

AASCTF is proud to support the landmark $1 billion public transport project of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the City Government of Davao. 🚌

Backed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ADB, and Ramboll, the AASCTF team early this year organized a demonstration event to showcase driver simulation technologies that could be used for training potential drivers of the new modern bus system. 🥽🕹 The simulator can provide trainees with different driving scenarios, while the VR technology can guide drivers on how to inspect their vehicles before a trip. These technologies are being assessed as part of AASCTF's Davao Bus Driver Training & Technology Study – Pilot Preparation & Implementation Support project.

The demonstration was attended by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Assistant City Administrator and High Priority Bus System (HPBS) Project Manager Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, and then Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, along with representatives from various agencies, former jeepney drivers and potential bus drivers, and other project stakeholders.

To learn more, read the update in our recent newsletter ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/adb/aasctf-smart-cities-newsletter-2023-issue9

ADB Philippines HPBS-Social Development Program

It's easy to say 'put people first', but how do we walk the talk?

The Smart Cities–Inclusive Cities Capacity Building Program, or what we also refer to as the Inclusive Cities Dialogues (ICD) Project, is a major initiative of the trust fund to raise the bar on inclusion in ASEAN cities.

It's not enough we look at different marginalized groups, we also underscore intersectionality. In our journey, Shiela May Aggarao, from the Nationwide Organization of Visually-Impaired Empowered Ladies in the Philippines (Novel Phils), said it best: “Lack of the intersectionality perspective across all levels of development process is a key barrier... For example, you’re a person with disability— you’re just that. You do not see the gender dimension or the age dimension, so the solutions are only seen in just one dimension.”

How do we then address the exclusion experienced in multiple fronts? Read our full story here ⬇️ https://www.livablecities.info/aasctf-putting-people-first-inclusion-in-cities

Let's make inclusive cities become a reality. Learn about the practical ways to mainstream inclusion through our online inclusive cities course ➡️ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

Putting people first: Elevating the conversation around inclusion in Southeast Asian cities Cities, for all that they promise in terms of opportunities and a better life, are sometimes not what they purport to be. For many women and girls, people with disabilities, and other minorities, life in the city can be riddled with difficulty. AASCTF's Inclusive Cities Dialogues Project provided a....

Great to have and see the new Australian Consul-General in Makassar Todd Dias speak about AASCTF!

Thanks for being an advocate for smart livable cities. Let's continue to build a community of champions. 🎉

A technical meeting with the DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) was another key highlight of our recent visit to Baguio City in the Philippines. 🇵🇭

The AASCTF team, led by AASCTF program manager and ADB urban development specialist Kyaw Thu with project analyst Rianne Dusaran, convened with DOST-ASTI representatives, led by director Franz de Leon, and members of the Baguio C.D.R.R.M.C.-Disaster Operations Center (Official), led by Antonette Anaban, to strengthen institutional cooperation with DOST-ASTI on the operations and maintenance of the hydrometeorological stations under our smart flood early warning system project.

The AASCTF team also had a chance to visit Baguio’s Smart City Command Center, where they were given a briefing and a tour of the city’s integrated facility, and met with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Mr. Thu also took the opportunity to visit and observe one of the project’s hydrometeorological stations at Sadjap Bridge in La Trinidad together with the project team.

This AASCTF project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Asian Development Bank, and Ramboll.

ADB Philippines Baguio City Public Information Office

: This time last year we were set to begin the third and final module of the Inclusive Cities Dialogues with The Asia Foundation. It feels like yesterday but what a rewarding journey it has been to support reforms for more gender equality and social inclusion in ASEAN cities.

The reports for each module of the dialogues, and the final inclusive cities event that capped it off, are now available online. These reports contain the summary and lessons from the dialogues, as well copies of the presentations from the speakers who shared promising initiatives to support the marginalized in their cities.

Download here ⬇️
🔹 Module 1: Access to Services and Infrastructure https://events.development.asia/materials/20230712/aasctf-smart-cities-inclusive-cities-capacity-building-program-module-1-report
🔹 Module 2: Urban Safety and Security https://events.development.asia/materials/20230712/aasctf-smart-cities-inclusive-cities-capacity-building-program-module-2-report
🔹 Module 3: Decent Work and Livelihood https://events.development.asia/materials/20230712/aasctf-smart-cities-inclusive-cities-capacity-building-program-module-3-report
🔹 Final Inclusive Cities Event Report https://events.development.asia/materials/20230712/intersection-smart-inclusive-cities-southeast-asia-final-inclusive-cities-event

These dialogues and our final inclusive cities event all informed the development of our free e-learning course on inclusive cities. The course is self-paced and comes with a certificate upon completion. We intended this course to be a way for us to continue the momentum of the Inclusive Cities Dialogues and to keep on sharing the knowledge and skills that we can imbibe to change our cities for the better and make it for everyone.

Try the course ➡️ https://bit.ly/enrollCities4All

Development Asia