76% of MENA residents believe living in a smart city would make them happier

Three in four people would be happier living in a smart and connected city, stated a new report by Mastercard. Titled 'Cities for the Future,' the report offers insights into human aspirations and technological progress for smart cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region."

Moreover, it reveals that two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050. This highlights the rising popularity of urban living and the importance of ensuring their security, sustainability and inclusivity.

Smart and connected communities

In the MENA region, smart and connected buildings and homes emerged as the highest priority innovation for 62% of respondents in the Mastercard report. Following closely at 61% came smart travel services as the second most important priority. Moreover, 58% of participants identify artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning as the most important technologies for future cities. Despite that, MENA residents are concerned about becoming less physically active and losing human interaction and traditional jobs.

Increased sustainability

The Mastercard report also revealed that public awareness of the need for climate action is high in the MENA region. Hence, 59% of participants stated that smart solutions to transform to clean and renewable energy are a top priority.

Digital services

The Mastercard report highlighted the importance of digitization for MENA residents. Participants stated that they would like to see digitization make their living environments, workplaces, and payment experiences more efficient. Digital access to services like banking, utilities and transportation emerged as a top priority for 59% of participants. Besides, strong privacy and secure personal data were a priority for 58% of participants. Furthermore, 53% cited the importance of having a single digital platform that integrates all services and information.

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