Challenges and Overcoming Ways of Smart Development in Bangladesh

 

Smart development, a transformative approach, harnesses the power of technology, innovation, and data to ensure the sustainable development of society, economy, and environment. This forward-looking strategy aims to enhance the quality of life, optimize resource utilization, and preserve ecological balance, offering a promising path for the future.

The concept of smart development is all-encompassing, incorporating innovative solutions in various sectors. From smart urban planning to agriculture, healthcare, and energy management, this approach leverages data analytics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation systems. By doing so, it minimizes resource wastage, enhances work efficiency, and mitigates negative environmental impact.

For example, smart cities use technology to address traffic congestion, air pollution, and other urban management challenges. Farmers get accurate information about the right crop production timing, irrigation requirements, and soil quality through smart agriculture. Similarly, smart healthcare facilitates communication between patients and doctors through digital mediums, especially in delivering healthcare to people in remote areas.

Smart development is not just about technology; it's about fostering a sense of community. It places a strong emphasis on sound planning, efficient management, and most importantly, social inclusion. This ensures that the benefits of development are equitable for all, making everyone feel valued and included in the process.

The role of smart development in Bangladesh is pivotal and multifaceted. By combining sound management with technology, smart development is the key to sustaining the country's economic growth and social progress. It is the most effective strategy to address the challenges of rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity, providing a reassuring path to sustainable progress and enhancing the quality of life for its people, and safeguarding its natural resources.

Firstly, smart city development is essential to deal with population pressure. Technological solutions can solve problems like increasing city population, traffic congestion, water logging, and environmental pollution. Intelligent city management, such as roads, transportation, water supply, waste management, and energy use, can be more effectively managed. This will improve citizens' quality of life and efficiency in urban management.

Second, using innovative technology in the agricultural sector can help ensure food security in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is primarily an agricultural country, and intelligent agriculture can increase crop production. Drones, sensors, and data analysis can help manage soil quality, weather forecasting, and irrigation management more effectively. This will help the farmers make the right decisions and determine the proper timing of food production.

Thirdly, smart development is also essential in Bangladesh's energy sector. Proper energy use can be ensured by using a smart grid and smart metering technology. This will increase the power system's cost-effectiveness and integrate renewable energy sources easily. It will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lead to sustainable energy management.

Fourth, Bangladesh's need for smart development in the health sector is more acute. Telemedicine and digital healthcare systems can deliver healthcare to remote areas of the country. This will create easy access to health care not only for city people but also for people in rural towns. A smart healthcare system will make diagnosis and treatment easier and increase the availability of healthcare.

Fifth, innovative development in the education sector can bring revolutionary changes in Bangladesh. Digital classrooms, online learning platforms, and e-learning systems will provide opportunities to improve students' education quality. A smart education system will further spread education and create a generation with digital skills who can lead Bangladesh's future economy.

Therefore, smart development is significant for Bangladesh's sustainable development. It is a technical solution and a breakthrough to ensure the country's economic and social stability. Through smart development, Bangladesh can best use its resources, cope with population pressures, and build a prosperous and sustainable future.

However, several obstacles exist in Bangladesh's implementation of smart development, which may challenge the country's overall development. Although smart development has the potential to accelerate the country's sustainable development through modern technology and innovation, some fundamental challenges exist in implementation. If these challenges are not addressed, achieving the country's goals through smart development may be difficult. First, infrastructural constraints are a significant obstacle. Smart development requires digital solid infrastructure, such as high-speed internet, modern communication technology, and a secure power supply. However, several regions of Bangladesh, especially rural areas, lack this infrastructure. Internet connection, speed issues, and irregular electricity supply interfere with ion function.

Secondly, the lack of skilled human resources is a significant constraint. Smart development requires a skilled workforce capable of using advanced technology. A large section of Bangladesh still lacks technical skills and IT knowledge. There is a shortage of highly trained human resources for smart cities, smart agriculture, or smart healthcare. Without proper training and skill development within the education system, achieving the goal of smart growth will be difficult.

Thirdly, the lack of policy and legal framework is also a significant obstacle. Innovative development requires specific policies and legal frameworks that ensure the proper use of technology and its proper management. However, Bangladesh still lacks adequate policy and legal framework for smart development. Unless regulations regarding digital security, data protection, and the use of technology are established, proper progress in this sector will be hindered.

Fourth, lack of funding is a significant challenge. Smart development requires large-scale investment, which is much more expensive than regular infrastructure development programs in the country. Introduction of new technologies, development of modern infrastructure and creation of a skilled workforce require vast amounts of funding. However, the country's financial constraints and reliance on development projects create a lack of funding needed for smart development.

Fifth, social and cultural barriers are a major obstacle to smart development. There is often a lack of awareness and cultural barriers among the general public regarding smart technology adoption. Adapting to new technologies and innovations requires a change in mindset and habits among people. However, in many cases, there is a misconception or resistance to using technology, which slows down the smart development process.

Coordinated and well-planned steps are needed to overcome existing barriers to smart development in Bangladesh. Reaping the benefits of smart development will be difficult without a long-term strategy and proper management to address these barriers. However, with the right steps, these barriers can be overcome by making the best use of technology, skills, and resources.

First, joint government and private sector investments are essential to speed up infrastructure development. Infrastructural development is vital for increasing the Internet's availability and the power supply's reliability for intelligent development. Government, private sector organizations, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can actively participate in building improved digital infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. Digital connectivity projects can be initiated with the help of local and international technology companies to make broadband internet available.

Secondly, the country's education and training system must be reformed to create skilled human resources. Training programs at various levels need to be introduced to enhance people's skills in using technology. Information technology and artificial intelligence education should be more modern and up-to-date in schools, colleges, and universities. Technology-based training programs can also be introduced for the working population, making them proficient in using smart technologies.

Thirdly, the government should take practical steps to create a sound policy and legal framework. Smart development requires a firm policy based on digital security, data protection, and sound technology management. Collaboration between policymakers and relevant stakeholders can be enhanced to ensure proper regulation and transparency in the use of technology in various sectors. In addition, it is essential to enact and implement appropriate data privacy laws to protect the rights and safety of technology users.

Fourth, the government should focus on attracting foreign credit and investment to the smart development sector to address the financing challenge. Long-term financing of smart development projects can be secured through international development agencies and investors. At the same time, a separate allocation for the research, development, and implementation of smart technology in the country's budget is needed. Besides, the broader use of smart technology can be ensured by providing startups and entrepreneurs with easy loans and other financial facilities.

Fifth, raising awareness and changing people's mindsets significantly removes social and cultural barriers. Mass awareness activities should be conducted to inform the general public about the benefits of smart technology applications. The use and benefits of technology can be promoted through TV, radio, social media, and other mass media. This will create a positive attitude towards technology adoption among people and make smart development easier.

After all, smart development is a continuous and long-term process. It requires a coordinated effort between the government, non-governmental organizations, technologists, academics, and the public. If these obstacles can be tackled well, Bangladesh can quickly move towards smart development and make the country's future brighter through sustainable development.

 
Dr. Matiur Rahman is a
researcher and a
development worker.