The UAE leads the region regionally in terms of investment in smart cities and associated systems, such as: communications networks, artificial intelligence systems, the Internet of Things, and data centers, while smart city initiatives in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among the advanced global cities in this field.
The volume of investment in smart city projects will reach about 185 billion dirhams ($50 billion) by 2025 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to Frost & Sullivan, a market research company, at a time when Abu Dhabi and Dubai continued to lead the cities of the region and North Africa in the smart cities index. 2023 issued by the International Institute for Administrative Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
According to the Smart Cities Index 2023, Abu Dhabi came in 13th place, while Dubai ranked 17th in the world, so that the two cities maintained their regional lead in the index, and they also maintained their presence among the 20 largest cities in the world on the index for the fourth edition in a row.
According to Gartner, the global company, smart cities are designed to achieve a sustainable, human-centered quality of life by creating a smart urban ecosystem, to confront the challenges resulting from high costs of living, social pressures, and climate change, by applying digital strategies through data-based insights.
Gartner adds: Smart cities can benefit from data coordination and exchange. This is an important factor in many cities in emerging economies that are building new infrastructure, new residential areas, and new sectors and industrial areas.
7 trends from the point of view of “GPT Chat”When we talk about smart cities, it is necessary to listen to the point of view of artificial intelligence, and this is what ChatGBT said in response to Al-Khaleej’s question: There are some potential trends for the future of smart cities, the most important of which are:
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- Human well-being
Dr. Harper Yetseth, Head of the Department of Architecture at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, explains that the volume of investment in smart city projects is expected to reach about 185 billion dirhams ($50 billion) by 2025 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to Frost & Sullivan” for market studies, while placing smart city initiatives in Abu Dhabi and Dubai among the advanced global cities in this field.
Harper Yetseth added, The UAE’s commitment to technological advancement is evident in its deployment of smart infrastructure, including artificial intelligence-powered surveillance, efficient public transportation systems, and smart energy networks, and the UAE Vision 2021 envisions transforming cities into smart, sustainable, and interconnected centers.
Focusing on networks and infrastructure is crucial to achieving this vision, which requires significant investments to lay the foundation for the development of smart cities in the UAE.
She explained that large financial resources have been allocated to create a strong infrastructure and a smooth communications network, emphasizing the key role of communication in achieving the goals set in the vision. For example, Dubai is moving towards becoming one of the most advanced cities in the world, as the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority launched a digital strategy worth 1.6 billion dirhams for the period 2023-2030, which includes 82 initiatives aimed at enhancing various aspects of the city.
These initiatives not only improve the citizen experience; It also positions the UAE as a developed country in the global scene for developing smart cities. Integrating smart technologies into urban planning is a testament to the country’s commitment to promoting innovation and creating sustainable and resilient cities for the future.
Smart cities use large-scale data sets from diverse sources to simplify infrastructure planning and design. By integrating advanced analysis and simulation tools.
Harper Yetseth points out that the path towards smart cities is a constant process, and through skillful governance, continuous technological innovation, and a focus on the well-being of citizens, the UAE is working to create an unparalleled blueprint for the development of smart cities. The country’s ambitious smart city endeavors demonstrate the significant progress that can be achieved when wise governance, rapid innovation and commitment to human well-being are seamlessly integrated.
- Drive development
Ammar Taba, Huawei’s Vice President for Media Relations in the Middle East and Central Asia, said: The development of technology globally has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade. Its market value is expected to reach $9.5 trillion in 2030.
Based on expectations that 80% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, the value of opportunities associated with creating smart and sustainable cities is increasing, as the global smart cities market is expected to reach approximately $873.7 billion by 2026.
As part of its commitment to adopting and disseminating advanced technology to advance social and economic development, the UAE advanced 5 places at the international level in the field of technology and innovation, according to the Technology and Innovation Report 2023, issued by the United Nations, which strengthens its international position on the map of technology and innovation and pioneers sustainable paths towards the digital future. At the forefront of which is the establishment of smart cities, of which Masdar City has become a global icon.
Tabba explains that the advantages of smart cities are not limited to safety factors; Rather, it is an integrated system for better communication and access to advanced digital services that enhance the quality of life by raising the level of efficiency of urban operations and services, and the ability to compete, and at the same time meet the needs of current and future generations with regard to economic, social, environmental, and cultural aspects.
Smart cities also benefit from modern technology to enhance effective infrastructure and the efficiency of smart wired and wireless networks, use energy, reduce carbon emissions, and deal with and analyze big data. Digital platforms and applications contribute to improving public services and easy access to vital services.
Taba said: In light of its keenness to stimulate innovation and pave the way for a sustainable digital future, the UAE continues its huge investments in smart cities, enhancing its global competitiveness in this field, and the country is working to ensure the continuity of disseminating the latest technologies and harnessing them for the benefit of sustainable development.
Taba points out that 5G technology is one of the most important components of smart cities due to its stronger capabilities in terms of speed, response time, and number of connection points, through which it supports the advanced and sustainable services targeted by smart cities.
Taba added that the commercial operation of advanced 5.5G networks in 2024 will allow for increased convergence between networks and artificial intelligence integrated with cloud computing capabilities to open the way for the launch of new advanced applications and solutions that add new value to smart cities. Smart Infrastructure
In turn, Haider Nizam, President of Zoho in the Middle East and Africa, said: Dubai has strengthened its position as a regional and global center as a smart city through a strong and proven record of innovation and investment in smart technologies, driven by government investment, digital transformation initiatives, and the increasing adoption of emerging technologies. We have witnessed the introduction of new technologies by Dubai such as testing self-driving taxis, preparing to adopt the 6G network, along with the increasing adoption of digital technologies in the public and private sectors.
Nizam added: Dubai lays a strong foundation for smart infrastructure, in addition to its constant keenness to experiment and adopt modern technologies and trends. Dubai is keen to encourage all sectors in it to benefit from smart technologies, including retail, transportation, logistics, institutions, service facilities, and professional services companies. Dubai is also investing in enhancing investment in cybersecurity, which keeps pace with its development as a world-leading smart city.
For years, the UAE has entered into a race against time to implement a highly advanced technical structure for implementing smart city systems, which is mainly based on the structure of the communications sector. Investment in fifth generation networks has served as the backbone of this structure, by providing unprecedented capabilities and speeds in artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies. Self-driving cars, and other emerging technology sectors, which will represent a qualitative addition to the knowledge-based UAE economy.
The UAE’s trend has contributed to developing cities that rely on integrated technical connectivity between man and machine, between machine and machine, and between things in general. The “Dubai Smart City” project, in particular, has also contributed to playing a vital and major role in attracting large technological and information investments to the country, specialized and prestigious in the sector. Communications and information technology.
The smart cities market includes sectors such as: health care, transportation, water, living assistance, security, and energy, and their implementation varies from one city to another, and the market is expected to grow at a rapid rate in the coming years, driven by renewed interest from industries, the availability of technology, and comprehensive industry participation.