{
  "id": 5945782,
  "title": "Govt to push location-based data in smart city drive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/govt-to-push-location-based-data-in-smart-city-drive",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-06T08:32:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News",
    "slug": "rthk-news",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869013-20260906.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Hong Kong government is promoting open access to location-based data as part of its initiative to create a smart city, according to Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn. Linn highlighted various applications of this data, from facilitating accessible walking routes to enabling AI-assisted searches for vacant government sites. The Development Bureau's Spatial Data Office, which Linn oversees, has established a geospatial lab to manage the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) portal. This portal provides over 1,100 datasets from more than 70 departments and organizations for public use. These datasets cover areas such as planning, land use, buildings, works, population, transport, and more. Raymond Choi, head of the Spatial Data Office, explained that the office's role is to integrate, analyze, and standardize digital information tagged with geographic locations, allowing for its sharing and application across various services. The office is also developing a conversational AI assistant that enables users to search for information on vacant government sites and access specific datasets directly, eliminating the need to navigate individual websites. Linn mentioned that the Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office previously partnered with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to launch the Walk in HK application. This application combines a 3D digital map with CSDI data to generate customized routes based on specific needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, offering barrier-free or flatter paths while avoiding stairs or slopes. Additionally, a startup company has utilized CSDI data to introduce the WayMe app, which offers facility alerts and a comfort score, capable of issuing immediate warnings to hikers who deviate from their planned routes.",
  "summary": "The government is pushing open access to location-based data to support Hong Kong's smart city push, with Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn highlighting new applications that range from accessible walking routes to AI-assisted searches for vacant government sites. In her latest blog on Sunday, Linn said the Development Bureau's Spatial Data Office has formed a \"geospatial lab\" to run the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Govt to push location-based data in smart city drive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/govt-to-push-location-based-data-in-smart-city-drive-5945802",
        "published": "2026-09-06T08:32:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}