United Arab Emirates Cities – Going Beyond “Smart”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its magnificent pearls, being home to the tallest skyscraper in the world, and creating one of the most competitive economies in the Arab world. The UAE is not content to build smart cities – they must also be sustainable. This aspiration is the foundation of the government’s Vision 2021 that would make the UAE among the best countries in the world, balancing sustainable environment and infrastructure with societal and economic factors as pillars of its national priorities.
UAEs Smart and Sustainable Cities
Starting more than a decade ago, the UAE put Masdar City on the map as the first smart sustainable city in the UAE and across the Middle East region. Using a solar energy foundation, an integrated city design to minimize the need for vehicles, and focusing on mitigating water waste, the city became a test bed for going beyond “smart”.
Next came a 5-year plan with an emphasis on using artificial intelligence (AI) to manage infrastructure in the Zayed Smart City Project, to prove out digital transformation intended to improve all aspects of urban life. Learnings from this project will help form the roadmap for future smart and sustainable cities across the UAE.
Soon to follow was Dubai, which has become a case study in how to deploy smart and sustainable cities. The broad vision of Dubai Plan 2021 touches upon everything from energy, transportation, recreation, public safety, and access to data. In 2016, Dubai became the first city to adopt blockchain at scale to drive toward the future economy. Going further, Dubai is completely transforming government structure to better serve the citizenry – both private and corporate – and visitors through smart life, smart economy, and smart tourism applications.
The Happiest City is Also Sustainable
In another remarkable innovation, The Sustainable City built within Dubai is a self-contained, purposefully designed, zero-energy community. This collection of passionate and committed individuals and businesses is determined to prevent a 2° increase in Earth’s average temperature above pre-industrial levels. The city is built along its Central Green Spine that contains 10 biodome greenhouses and around which 5 residential clusters of 100 villas each are built. Buildings and carports don solar panels that provide energy for city streetlights, EV charging, and to power the urban farm. Over 10,000 trees are strategically planted as a protective buffer from outside pollutants as well as for naturally cooling shade.
As if it was not enough to be smart and sustainable, this city has been recognized for the last three years as the happiest city across the Gulf Cooperation Council1 (GCC) countries. Looking at the plan, the design, and the vision, this designation is understandable.
Economic Vision 2030
The oil industry has helped the UAE build critical infrastructure, hospitals, and schools. But, as technology radically reshapes society, its Economic Vision 2030 is the springboard to expand its economic base and foster an integrated and resilient global business environment.
Understanding the importance of a diversified and balanced economy, Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 aims to reduce its reliance on the oil sector. This transformation shifts the base of its economy from natural resources to one of knowledge, innovation, and the export of cutting-edge technologies. As interconnected pieces of a puzzle, these new economic pursuits pair well with their vision of smart and sustainable cities.
A Rich Technology Innovation Hub
Leveraging the technological advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, developers of smart sustainable cities have found support in the launch of various federal-level strategies that promote the use of blockchain, AI, big data, smart mobility, and renewable energy. This kind of national-level support and strategic alignment is vital in the development of any smart, environmentally conscious, and economically vibrant city.
The UAE observes February as the month of innovation and holds several events including hackathons to promote innovation and use data to seek intelligent technology-based solutions in the areas of developing smart sustainable cities, environmental conservation, healthcare, space, education, and digital transformation. These and other successful public-private partnerships will continue to elevate the UAE as one of the most admired countries in the Middle East and around the globe.
The UAE’s smart and sustainable city achievements have happened on purpose, with a committed population and government, and with an eye on economic health and stability. Understanding and building their plans around the interconnectedness of society, the environment, and economy leveraging innovation and technology will continue to serve them and the planet well.
#SmartCities #Sustainability #SocialInnovation #UAE #Dubai #AbuDhabi #Innovation #AI #Solar #Blockchain #Leadership #ClimateChange #DigitalTransformation
SOURCES:
https://www.itu.int/en/myitu/News/2020/08/24/06/46/Smart-sustainable-city-development-UAE
https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/digital-uae/smart-sustainable-cities