Abu Dhabi ranked as the fifth smartest city in the world – and here's why
The capital has soared to fifth place in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, climbing five spots from last year.
From slick transport systems to park sensors and free Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere, it's no wonder residents are giving the capital top marks.
The ranking, which surveys locals in 146 cities worldwide, shows just how far Abu Dhabi has come in five years – jumping from 14th place in 2020 to its current top 5 status.
In a new global achievement, Abu Dhabi ranks among the top five smart cities worldwide in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, reflecting its leadership in urban development and smart governance, and its vision toward future-ready cities.#AbuDhabi #YearOfCommunity #SmartCityIndex pic.twitter.com/GVPb5XvZUA — دائرة البلديات والنقل (@AbuDhabiDMT) April 23, 2025
According to His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), this rise is no fluke. He credits Abu Dhabi's smart transformation to a united government approach and a focus on making the city an even better place to live, work and explore.
So, what makes Abu Dhabi so smart? For starters, it's traffic. Or lack thereof. More than half of residents said congestion isn't much of an issue and over 82 percent gave a thumbs up to public transport – with more than 90 million bus rides and 168,000 water transport trips taken last year alone.
Not to mention the game-changing double-bridge project on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, which slashed peak-hour delays by up to 80 percent. We love to see it.
Then there are the green spaces. In 2024 alone, DMT opened more than 200 parks and beaches and 84 percent of residents say they're happy with the access and upkeep.
It's not just about numbers though – seven of those parks have gone full-on futuristic with smart sensors tracking everything from air quality to soil humidity. That's sustainability with a side of techy cool.
There's also free public Wi-Fi all over the city – on buses, beaches and in parks thanks to Hala Wi-Fi – making it easier than ever to stay connected. Around 75 percent of survey respondents said it helped improve access to services, which played a big role in boosting the city's ranking.
Add to that initiatives like Abu Dhabi Canvas – an urban beautification project using local creative talent to celebrate Emirati heritage – and the city's commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking development becomes crystal clear.
With the new regional office for the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO) now based in Abu Dhabi, the capital isn't just setting standards locally – it's positioning itself as a regional hub for smart city innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable urban growth.
Fifth place never looked so good.
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