The College of Engineering at Peking University (PKU) will collaborate with SAP on the design of applications to build “smart cities” in China in an effort to promote sustainability and tackle urban challenges. In addition, the College of Engineering has received the initial donation from SAP to help fund this project. Professor Xidong Wang, chair of the Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, attended the SAP SAPPHIRE NOW, the highest-level annual meeting hosted by SAP for partners, customers and potential customers, being held in Beijing.

The size of China’s market for smart city solutions is estimated at over 500 billion Yuan by 2025. China has recently been publicizing its “smart city” program by unveiling development plans for more than 100 smart cities, districts and towns. Furthermore, China Development Bank, which is commissioned to assist the Chinese government’s smart city development programs, announced it will invest more than 80 billion Yuan by 2015 to finance smart city projects. The projects will use advanced technologies at all stages of the building and infrastructure of smart cities from the electric grid and water infrastructure to transportation systems, environmental protection and healthcare.

SAP was founded in 1972 in Walldorf, Germany. It stands for Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing. Over the years, it has grown and evolved to become the world premier provider of client/server business solutions for which it is so well known today.

The College of Engineering at PKU and its world-renown research faculty who are experts in infrastructure and urban development will assist SAP to launch pilot projects starting next year in multiple tier cities to develop smart city solutions to help create more livable and environment-friendly urban developments.