Latest news with #AlShorafa
Al Etihad
26-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
From digital twin to driverless cabs: How Abu Dhabi uses AI to shape ideal city for residents
27 May 2025 00:15 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart mobility to guide urban planning and infrastructure development, according to Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).Speaking at the Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit on Monday, Al Shorafa detailed how the emirate was building a city that is sustainable, resilient, and tailored to the needs of its to DMT's approach is the creation of a "digital twin" of the city - a high-fidelity virtual replica that simulates infrastructure, human movement, and tool allows planners to visualise and manage urban growth more efficiently and design infrastructure that aligns with real-time needs, Al Shorafa also enhances emergency response by ensuring safety teams gain quicker and more accurate access to critical infrastructure data, he Shorafa also pointed out that DMT has spent the last two years collecting extensive datasets across Abu Dhabi's districts, including traffic patterns, demographic trends, and community insights have allowed the government to shape infrastructure development with surgical actively engaging residents and incorporating their feedback through AI-powered platforms, Abu Dhabi has launched several projects that directly reflect public demand, according to Al Shorafa. One result: the opening of more than 224 new parks in just one added that AI has also helped DMT identify the root causes of congestion and educational imbalances, such as mismatches between where people live and where schools are located, prompting targeted infrastructure responses. Self-driving Rides, Electric BusesAs part of its wider efforts to build a future-ready city, Abu Dhabi is also integrating smart mobility solutions. "Abu Dhabi was the first … in the region to deploy autonomous taxis. And we've been deploying autonomous buses and testing them for three years," Al Shorafa visitors can book a self-driving ride from the airport to key destinations via ride-hailing ahead, Al Shorafa said the city plans to fully electrify its public bus fleet by 2030, supported by a robust digital foundation that enables the rapid integration of new Dhabi has the necessary resources in place, he said, and it is actively updating policies to support its goals. Smart, Integrated Urban PlanningThe inaugural Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit is held in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, represented by the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, and Abu Dhabi's DMT, and in collaboration with One Development. "In a rapidly evolving world, smart cities are no longer a luxury - they are a strategic imperative. The focus is not solely on technology, but on how we harness it to boost efficiency, enhance quality of life, and accelerate development," said Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, in her welcoming speech."Abu Dhabi is advancing confidently toward a new urban model, one rooted in innovation and driven by data, with sustainability at its core. This summit serves as a vital platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration to build more resilient and inclusive cities. It aligns with the declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community, underscoring the UAE's dedication to placing people at the centre of urban progress," she summit brings together a cohort of real estate leaders, investors, innovators, and architects from across the region and around the world, serving as a platform to explore the future of smart cities, promote sustainable urban solutions, and highlight investment and development opportunities in the region's real estate first day's programme featured keynote speeches and interactive panel discussions exploring the future of smart cities and the development of advanced his opening keynote, Eng. Mohamed Almansoori, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, highlighted smart and integrated urban planning as a cornerstone in the path toward sustainable development."The UAE continues to play a pioneering global role through distinctive initiatives, including the Urban Development Agenda Platform for Asia and the Pacific, which was launched in partnership with Malaysia and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge in the field of sustainable urbanisation," he discussions also explored the critical role of effective policies and strategic public-private partnerships in accelerating development through institutional his address, Ali Al Gebely, Founder and Chairman of ONE Development, described the UAE as one of the most advanced and resilient ecosystems for private sector growth, especially in urban announced the launch of DO Hotels, an AI-powered hospitality concept developed in partnership with singer Amr Diab. The day also featured an award ceremony honouring a group of the region's most influential real estate leaders, including prominent government officials, entrepreneurs and businessmen. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Khaleej Times
17-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi launches new affordable housing initiative to boost quality of life
In an effort to enhance the real estate landscape and improve the quality of life for its residents, Abu Dhabi is rolling out a new initiative focused on affordable, high-quality housing. Value Housing Programme will be rolled out in phases, with a focus on improving living standards for individuals and families. Launched by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the initiative also aims to strengthen social integration and foster community bonds, which are central to the Year of Community. By offering affordable, high-quality housing, the programme emphasises the commitment to building dynamic, inclusive communities. As part of this initiative, DMT has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Sdeira Group (formerly KEZAD Communities) and Central Holding Group (CHG). By leveraging their extensive global experience, the partnership between DMT and CHG aims to drive collaboration, share knowledge, and amplify the effectiveness and impact of affordable housing across Abu Dhabi. Commenting on the initiative, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, noted that the MoU agreements aim to create vibrant and thriving neighbourhoods that would set new benchmarks for quality and innovation. 'These partnerships underscore our dedication to delivering housing solutions that adhere to our principles of inclusivity and sustainability. They are a crucial step in addressing the growing demand for housing in the Emirate, while improving living standards and providing avenues for everyone to access housing that enhances their well-being,' Al Shorafa said. DMT is also committed to working closely with investors, developers, and partners to drive the programme forward. Through strategic partnerships, the department aims to reshape the real estate sector and ensure the versatility of Abu Dhabi's housing market, offering diverse options for all segments of society. Furthermore, the DMT is committed to working closely with investors, developers, and partners to identify new opportunities and drive the Value Housing Programme forward. These efforts contribute to Abu Dhabi's recognition as the most liveable city in the MENA region, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2024.
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
DMT launches new value housing programme in Abu Dhabi
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced the launch of a new Value Housing Programme to bolster versatility in the emirate's real estate market. The initiative, which will be rolled out in strategic phases, aims to improve the living standards for individuals and families alike, strengthening social integration and foster community bonds– which form key elements underpinning the Year of Community. By ensuring the housing units are both affordable and of exceptional quality, the programme underscores a commitment to cultivating dynamic and inclusive communities. As part of this effort, DMT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sdeira Group (formerly KEZAD Communities) to develop a range of residential units and commercial assets. The Group was selected for its strong reputation in Abu Dhabi, with extensive expertise in real estate, investment, and asset management. DMT has also signed an MoU with Central Holding Group (CHG), a leading investment, asset management, and real estate firm. CHG was chosen for its proven expertise in real estate development, both locally and internationally, mixed with pioneering strategies that integrate cutting-edge technologies across the Group's real estate projects. By leveraging their extensive global experience, the partnership between DMT and CHG aims to drive collaboration, share knowledge, and amplify the effectiveness and impact of affordable housing across Abu Dhabi. Commenting on the initiative, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, noted that the MoU agreements aim to create vibrant and thriving neighbourhoods that would set new benchmarks for quality and innovation. 'These partnerships underscore our dedication to delivering housing solutions that adhere to our principles of inclusivity and sustainability. They are a crucial step in addressing the growing demand for housing in the Emirate, while improving living standards and providing avenues for everyone to access housing that enhances their well-being,' Al Shorafa said. Furthermore, the Department is committed to working closely with investors, developers, and partners to identify new opportunities and drive the Value Housing Programme forward. By fostering strategic partnerships, it seeks to drive sustained growth, reshape the real estate sector, and ensure the versatility of Abu Dhabi's housing market by offering diverse options for all segments of society. These efforts not only support the Emirate's high standards of liveability but have also contributed to Abu Dhabi being recognised as the most liveable city in the MENA region by the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2024.
Khaleej Times
27-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi ‘trying to reduce blue-collar population' as it focuses on knowledge-based economy
Abu Dhabi is focusing on knowledge-based sectors that employ white-collar professionals, and trying to reduce the blue-collar workforce, a senior official said on Wednesday. 'We're trying to reduce the blue-collar population, [although] we're thankful for them ... We're looking for companies that have technologies that Abu Dhabi can really make use of; for example, the vertical-farming technologies." "For example, a lot of vertical-farming technology companies have been given incentives that are making the emirate a springboard for regional expansion. This gives Abu Dhabi more traction to attract other investors within that sector,' said Mohamed Al Shorafa, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport. Abu Dhabi's population has grown exponentially in the past four years, making the emirate the most populated city in the UAE. The city aims to double its population by 2040. The Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD) reported in June 2024 that the population of the capital reached 3.789 million, an increase of 83 per cent compared to 2011. The employed workforce is divided into 46 per cent white-collar workers, a category that has seen a 109 per cent surge since 2011, and 54 per cent blue-collar workers, a group that has experienced 65 per cent growth compared to 2011. 'Based on the Falcon Economy Strategy, we are anticipating to double the population by 2040.' The UAE federal government is also pushing towards attracting and establishing knowledge and innovation-based firms which will require more white-collar professionals to drive the economy to the next stage of growth. 20% autonomous taxis by 2030 He noted that Abu Dhabi is investing a lot into AI, and attracting companies that are investing in artificial intelligence in different sectors. 'Most of our decision-making is driven through data and AI. We have a lot of sensors, and intelligent traffic systems that can give us data that helps anticipate where the congestion might happen,' he said during the Investopia 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Abu Dhabi was the first in the region to launch autonomous taxi in 2021. 'By 2030, we are targeting 20 per cent of our public taxis to be autonomous. We're working a lot with international companies that have already invested in our autonomous sandboxes and our pilot projects. We've invested in the electrification of our bus network as well, and more will come. We're in discussion with private players to come and develop their own mobility systems and platforms so that all systems can talk to each other and make it easier for people.' Al Shorafa also noted that the most important investment that the government is making is in the development of transportation infrastructure. 'We've earmarked over Dh65 billion for transportation projects including tunnels, new roads and expansions of existing networks,' he said.
