This remark came from Dr Bindu Lohani, senior adviser to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) president and former vice president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Dr Lohani spoke at the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Seminar on “Technological Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing Climate Resilience Smart Cities” at AIT on Tuesday.

“Cities have to be made more liveable, smart, clean and green,” Dr Lohani said as he outlined the technological challenges faced in urban areas.

He said 80 per cent of GDP was generated in cities and that some 600 metropolises collectively contribute about 60 per cent of global GDP.

Quoting an ADB study, he said that 23 megacities—with a population of over 10 million—were contributing 14 per cent of global GDP, though this is expected to reduce to about 10 per cent by 2025.

“We need cities that are liveable, economically vibrant and progressive, environmental clean and smart,” Dr Lohani said. He also spoke of major challenges including that of urban poverty and the burgeoning investment requirements. The urban poor number 200 million and 30 to 50 per cent of them earn less than a dollar a day, he said. Massive investments to the tune of US$2 trillion were required, while public resources account for only half of the investments, he said.

The former ADB vice president also identified energy efficiency, renewable energy, conversion of waste into energy and carbon capture, sequestration as well as storage as key weapons to fight climate change. Huge investments were required to make infrastructure “climate proof”, in the form of retrofitting as well as designing competitive and “smart cities”.