This document is aimed at helping CALD differentiate the assessment tool that is crucial to is Smart City Blueprint Project from its competition. In 2019, CALD launched a Smart City Blueprint Project to assist select local governments under CALD member parties to develop and make recommendations for their smart city design. While smart cities are mostly defined through its technological aspects, recent developments emphasize the quality of government services and citizen welfare. This can make the smart city a political tool for democratic values at the local level at a time when many national governments in Asia are reeling from the effects of populism and authoritarianism.
