Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Sri Lanka signs MOU with Siemens to develop Megapolis smart cities

(LBO) – Siemens, a German electronics and industrial conglomerate, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Megapolis Ministry to offer sustainable, smart city solutions for Sri Lanka.

“We are extremely happy to partner with Siemens whose expertise and technologies will contribute to the Western Province’s intensive efforts to eliminate congestion pressures on urban infrastructure, services and environment with a focus on reducing the per unit capital cost of infrastructure,” Lakshman Jayasekara, project director, Western Region Megapolis Planning Project, said in a statement.

The prime objective of the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is to bring systematic changes and development processes into the urban community in Sri Lanka, which will ensure that the inhabitants of urban areas become a part of socio-economic development of the country while maintaining high levels in quality of life.

“This will pave the way for making Sri Lanka a commercial, naval and aviation hub of Asia,” the statement said.

“In this context the ministry envisages transforming the entire Western Province into a Megapolis area to usher in comprehensive development within the next five years.”

The scope of work under the Ministry’s purview would primarily include macro level planning of the Western Megapolis region based on bio-geo-physical and socio-economic aspects.

The statement says that further to design smart urban settlements in strategic locations of the country it will also seek to discover solutions to resolve distinctive issues related to urbanization such as garbage, slums, energy, traffic, environment and livelihoods.

“Siemens is delighted to partner with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development in its endeavour to achieve the status of a ‘high income developed nation,’” Sunil Mathur, managing director and CEO, Siemens limited India, said.

“With its global expertise, Siemens has the portfolio, the know-how, and the expertise to help cities become more liveable, more competitive and more sustainable. This will enable the national economy to leverage the benefits of economies of agglomeration brought about by urbanization.”

The Ministry plans to develop new cities in Bandaragama, Kadawatha, Kottawa and Kerawalapitiya surrounding the outer circular that will be soon under construction as a part of the Megapolis development plan.

Globally, Siemens is a leader in providing technology solutions for setting up intelligent (smart), sustainable cities. With solutions for Smart Grid, Building Technologies, Mobility and Power Distribution, Siemens has successfully set up smart cities in Vienna and New York, and is already involved in the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (R-APDRP) of the Government of India for installing Smart Grid solutions in multiple cities in India.

The MoU was signed by Lakshman Jayasekara and Anirudh Tandon, Country Manager, Siemens Limited Sri Lanka.

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