Innovative Technology of the Smart Transport and Smart Cities for Sustainable Infrastructure to Support Resilient Economic System in China and Africa

The United Nations (UN) has driven the sustainable transport and infrastructure development in the world via the first and the second global sustainable transport conferences during the last decade. The establishment of the Global Innovation and Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Transport in China is committed to knowledge-sharing and capacity building in developing countries on sustainable transport under the UN. Smart transport and smart cities have been considered as the key drivers for supporting the national and local economic development of China over the last decade. The Beijing Statement of the 2nd UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the central role of sustainable transport in the modern world. Recovery from the pandemic will be a chance for all actors to rethink passenger and freight transport and implement integrated solutions which can support the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement for sustainable economic development. This chapter introduces the case study from Shenzhen, Southern China which can provide some lessons for Africa, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa at large are still at the infant stage in the desire to establish smart transport and cities in line with development in the global domain. Much can be learned from advancements in China, to excel in infrastructure development and in the development of appropriate smart transport and cities technologies.