Latest news with #urbaninnovation
Arab News
19 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
A time to be bold and think big on urbanization
There is a global quest for urban innovation that enables cities to grow in ways that optimize space, enhance livability, and reduce the pressure on natural resources. Society is now acutely aware of major global environmental challenges. Climate change, pollution, desertification, and deforestation and biodiversity loss are topics frequently discussed worldwide. However, less commonly recognized are the profound implications of the thousands of new cities we will need to construct this century to accommodate the projected surge in the global population. The regions most significantly impacted by this will include Africa, China, India and the Middle East. With an estimated 11.6 billion people expected to inhabit the planet by the end of the century, we have entered an era of unprecedented urbanization. Humanity is creating what urbanists Greg Clark and Borane Gille describe as a 'planet of cities.' UN modeling projects that by 2100, the global urban population will increase from 2.6 billion to 9.6 billion. The number of cities with more than a million residents will grow from 275 to about 1,600. This equates to constructing more than 1,000 major cities in the next 75 years. Whether nature can withstand this burden remains uncertain and is a matter of growing concern. The impact extends beyond how people live in cities: commuting, eating, cooling and cooking. The very process of building these cities will likely become one of the largest contributors to climate change. The construction and operation of urban spaces form a major global industry, encompassing real estate, infrastructure, utilities, transport, technology, and an array of associated goods and services. Construction activities currently account for approximately 40 percent of annual global energy consumption and 36 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The production of essential materials — steel, aluminum, cement, concrete and plastic — is energy-intensive and generates considerable pollution. The UN Environment Program underlines the fact that decarbonizing materials is vital for reducing emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings. Overall, evidence shows that we are building and operating cities beyond safe environmental limits. Given the rapid pace of urban development, the challenge is to do better; to achieve sustainability standards that not only protect the environment but ideally restore resilience for future generations. Solving the problem of sustainable cities is both a wicked challenge and a tremendous opportunity. The scale, complexity and urgency are daunting but the potential for innovation is enormous. Addressing this will unleash new technologies and usher in a green, smart economy. In 2022, I learned that Saudi Arabia was constructing the world's first sustainable city: NEOM, a transformative, giga-scale project on the northern Red Sea coast. This city is envisioned as carbon-neutral, car-free, nature-positive, powered by renewable energy, and built with advanced technologies to meet bold environmental standards. Such ambition, vision and scale are precisely what the current era requires. Projects such as NEOM inspire visionary leadership and the scaling of innovation necessary to move beyond incremental change and open the door to transformational progress. During my three years as chief environment officer in this project, I witnessed NEOM already changing the supply of construction materials and goods, helping international companies and construction sectors transition toward clean manufacturing, renewable energy, and circular-economy principles. With an estimated 11.6 billion people expected to inhabit the planet by the end of the century, we have entered an era of unprecedented urbanization. Richard Bush There are encouraging signs that NEOM and other giga-projects across the Middle East — such as Red Sea Global, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and Murrabba — are making a global impact, as highlighted by reports from the likes of the World Economic Forum and the G20's Urban 20 initiative. NEOM's influence is driven by its massive scale, aggressive timelines, and the high expectations set by its leadership for climate, decarbonization, environmental and livability standards, nature conservation, and operational efficiency — which are achievable only through systemic change. When a giga-project such as NEOM solves a problem, the global construction industry benefits, future cities benefit and, ultimately, all of society benefits. This demonstrates why large, ambitious projects are essential if we are to achieve both human progress and environmental sustainability in coming decades. So, where will we find the inspiration, strategy and commitment to drive the construction industry's transition to sustainability? Who will be involved and who will take responsibility? Business will be central to driving the sustainability transition for one good reason: it promises a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing marketplace. Conservative economists and seasoned business leaders alike are reading the situation and moving quickly to adapt. Demand for green goods and services is experiencing substantial growth that is expected to continue for many decades based on current forecasts. Sustainability credentials are emerging as strong market differentiators, partly because of new regulations and standards set by governments that will not tolerate environmentally damaging industries and, more importantly, the conscious choice of customers, such as NEOM, who prioritize sustainability along with cost and quality. As citizens, we can all play a role in supporting and influencing businesses and governments to make the right choices when it comes to sustainability. There are encouraging signs of progress on a global scale, according to recent reports from leading organizations such as the WEF, UN Environment Programme, World Building Council, and U20. For example, the First Movers Coalition, established by the WEF, brings together global companies leveraging collective purchasing power to create a credible demand signal for change. Similarly, the First Suppliers Hub is a global repository of innovative and emerging products needed for decarbonization by 2050 in sectors such as aluminum, cement, concrete, steel, aviation, shipping and transport. These examples demonstrate alternatives to the old business rules of competition and counterproductive isolationism, making way for new types of strategic collaboration founded on a shared interest in addressing sustainability. Saudi Arabia is showing its willingness to lean into the global challenge of building a sustainable future with courage, creativity, determination and proactive collaboration. Hopefully this example will inspire action. On a personal level, it was exciting to be part of NEOM and to work alongside some of the greatest minds and change-makers. It has given me confidence that we will find a sustainable path as we navigate the rise of cities and urbanization. • Richard Bush is the former chief environment officer of NEOM and is recognized for his work across policy, science and innovation in the field of sustainable development.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi and Seoul advance smart and sustainable development ties
Abu Dhabi, UAE: A senior delegation led by His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has concluded an official visit to the Republic of Korea aimed at deepening bilateral cooperations in next-generation infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and urban innovation. During the trip, His Excellency Al Shorafa held a series of high-level government meetings, including those with His Excellency Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul and His Excellency Lee Sang Kyeong, Vice Minister of Land and Infrastructure. The strategic discussions, attended by His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, reinforced the growing relationship between Abu Dhabi and Seoul, building on the Friendship City Agreement signed last year. The talks focused on strengthening knowledge exchange across sectors such as transit-oriented development, digital twin technologies, and data-driven decision-making in civic operations. Highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration, His Excellency Al Shorafa stated: "Our visit reflects Abu Dhabi's dedicated efforts to fostering global partnerships that support the advancement of liveable, sustainable, and connected cities for the future. These international dialogues offer invaluable opportunities to share insights and accelerate collective progress that is centred on serving the people who choose to call these destinations home placing their needs and aspirations at the core of every vision, every plan, and every community we build.' Furthermore, the DMT Chairman delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the World Smart City Expo (WSCE) 2025 during his time in Korea. The prestigious event was held in Busan from July 15 to 17 under the theme of 'Next City For All'. His Excellency highlighted Busan's achievements in purposeful modernisation, emphasising how intentional planning and advanced solutions can shape vibrant metropolitan areas. The address also acknowledged the importance of platforms like WSCE in facilitating the exploration of ideas around the role of intelligent transport systems, enhanced local services, and climate-resilient infrastructure as well as active engagement in building human-centric, adaptable spaces. Afterwards, he accepted the WSCE Contribution Award on behalf of the Department for its role in the expo's success. Additionally, the senior delegation took part in a series of meetings and seminars, including the Urban Development & Smart Mobility Seminar with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation (LX Corporation), and the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) to discuss urban governance and smart city solutions. Separately, they participated at the Abu Dhabi – Seoul Future Transport Strategy Seminar alongside the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA) and Hyundai Motor Group on future and autonomous mobility as well bilateral cooperation opportunities.
Entrepreneur
23-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
AI at the Edge: The Future of Smart Cities and How Entrepreneurs Can Get Involved
Edge AI changes how a traffic light works, how a building cools itself, or how a shop knows when to restock. And in the Middle East, we have the opportunity to lead. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As an entrepreneur building real-world tech, I've seen how the idea of a 'smart city' is no longer futuristic but is happening right now. Around the world, we're witnessing bold urban innovation from next-generation infrastructure to comprehensive smart city strategies that are reshaping how we live and work. In the Middle East, projects like NEOM's infrastructure and Dubai's Smart City strategy, are leading this transformation and setting global benchmarks. One of the most exciting shifts I'm seeing on the ground is the rise of Edge AI, where intelligence is moving out of the cloud and closer to where life happens and for entrepreneurs, this evolution presents a rare window of opportunity. In my work helping design intelligent environments, I've watched Edge AI turn passive spaces into systems that respond, adapt, and serve people, not just collect data. When cities can think, respond, and adapt in real-time, we move beyond smart into something far more impactful: truly human-centric environments. Why Edge AI Matters Now At its core, Edge AI means putting AI directly onto devices. Whether it's a traffic camera, a building sensor, or a delivery robot, the data can now be processed where it's generated, not sent halfway across the world to a cloud server. That local processing power dramatically reduces lag, enables real-time responses, and removes a lot of the friction that slows down traditional smart systems. For instance, an edge-enabled traffic system doesn't need to send video feeds to a distant server. Instead, it can process visual data on-site to detect congestion, adjust signal timing, and ease the flow, all in milliseconds. In smart security, AI-enabled cameras can identify unusual behavior and alert authorities immediately, without waiting for cloud approval. Why is this so important in the Middle East? Because we're talking about cities with high population density, fast-growing infrastructure, and extreme environments. Delays, even in seconds, can have major implications for safety, mobility, and energy efficiency. How the Middle East is Leading the Charge The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are all making significant investments in AI and smart city infrastructure. This is amplified by progressive policies, such as the UAE's National AI Strategy 2031, which envisions the Middle East as a hub of innovation. Governments are fostering ecosystems that attract entrepreneurs, accelerating the deployment of transformative solutions. Public-private collaborations are thriving, creating fertile ground for startups eager to solve pressing urban challenges. Where Entrepreneurs Can Make a Difference Edge AI opens a range of opportunities across sectors. Here are five areas where I see real potential: Urban Mobility and Logistics: From micro-mobility optimization to edge-powered parking systems, there's a huge demand for localized intelligence that improves flow, reduces emissions and eases congestion. Energy and Water Management: Smart meters and distributed energy resources can use edge AI to detect leaks, forecast demand, and balance grid loads in real-time, critical in resource-scarce environments. Retail and Commerce: In malls and airports, edge-powered analytics can improve foot traffic insights, queue management, and personalized experiences, especially where connectivity may be inconsistent. Public Safety and Emergency Response: Real-time data from cameras, drones, and sensors can assist emergency services, enabling faster and more informed interventions. Healthcare: Edge AI can be used in clinics and homes to monitor patients, reduce hospital load, and enable telemedicine services where latency and privacy are critical. How to Get Involved: Practical Strategies - So how can entrepreneurs position themselves to ride this wave? Start with local problems. Edge AI works best when it solves immediate, contextual issues. Partner with municipalities or infrastructure providers to understand what's really needed. Edge AI works best when it solves immediate, contextual issues. Partner with municipalities or infrastructure providers to understand what's really needed. Think modular and scalable. Build tools that can plug into existing city systems or be deployed independently in smaller settings like malls, campuses, or transit hubs. Build tools that can plug into existing city systems or be deployed independently in smaller settings like malls, campuses, or transit hubs. Prioritize security and privacy. Public trust is vital. Implementing robust safeguards around data collection and use will differentiate you in a highly sensitive space. Public trust is vital. Implementing robust safeguards around data collection and use will differentiate you in a highly sensitive space. Embrace interoperability. Edge solutions must work across networks and standards. Open architecture and API-driven development will help ensure longevity and integration. Edge solutions must work across networks and standards. Open architecture and API-driven development will help ensure longevity and integration. Leverage the region's accelerators. Tap into platforms like Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, Area 2071 in Dubai, or NEOM's innovation programs. These offer funding, market access, and pilot opportunities. The Edge Is Just the Beginning We often think of innovation as something distant or abstract. But with Edge AI, the impact is tangible. It changes how a traffic light works, how a building cools itself, or how a shop knows when to restock. And in the Middle East, we have the opportunity to lead. Smart cities are no longer just about connectivity; they're about intelligence at the edge. Of course, that intelligence needs to be human-first. As entrepreneurs, we're not just building better tech. In reality, we're shaping how people experience the cities they live in.
Forbes
08-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Cognitive Cities Are Rising To Define The Urban Future
Cities, where almost 60 percent of all humans now live, often struggle with a long list of issues that include traffic congestion, inefficient public services, high carbon emissions, economic and public safety challenges, and aging water and energy systems. As a result, there's a large and growing demand for novel solutions. It won't come as a surprise that new technologies are playing an increasingly important role in addressing a wide range of urban needs. The term smart city, which first began to appear in the 1990s, is often used to describe an urban area that adopts innovative digital technologies, data, sensors, and connectivity to improve a community's livability, workability, and sustainability. The smart city movement has had plenty of successes (and their fair share of failures and backlash), and public agencies committed to the use of innovative technologies and data to drive better governance can be found in every part of the world. Now a new concept is emerging that builds upon the success and limitations of smart cities. It's called the cognitive city and it's when AI, used in conjunction with other related emerging technologies, creates a more intelligent, responsive, and adaptable urban experience. This shift is unsurprising. It's happening as the intelligence age drives the emergence of a cognitive industrial revolution, an economic transformation that is forcing every organization to make sense of and see the opportunities in a world of thinking machines. At their core, cognitive cities are AI-powered and data-driven. They use these technologies and others to understand patterns in the urban space to help with decision-making, planning, and governance, and to power innovative urban solutions. Instead of being reactive, the aim is for city services to be proactive by anticipating needs and challenges. Over time, the city learns about its community, helping it to evolve to meet current and future needs. This may all sound a little too abstract, so let's put it in perspective by exploring two cognitive cities being constructed right now. Perhaps the most famous cognitive city underway is in the northwestern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Called NEOM, this area includes The Line. Instead of being built in a traditional radial shape, The Line is a long, narrow strip, proposed to be 106 miles in length, 656 feet in width, and 1640 feet in height. Advanced cognitive technologies are at the heart of this city, enabling the optimization of transportation, resource management, and energy consumption—it will all be non-carbon based. The city is being designed to understand residents' needs and support personalized and proactive services such as healthcare, activity scheduling, and temperature management. The city of Aion Sentia, underway in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, has even bolder aspirations. It's being designed to anticipate even more resident needs. If you like to buy a latte from your favorite coffee store each day at 8am, it's going to be ready for you. If you have an anniversary upcoming, you'll be reminded, and reservations will automatically be made at your favorite restaurant. Central to this cognitive city will be a city-provided app that will be your urban assistant. For example, if you get an energy bill that is higher than expected, you'll be able to tell the app, and it will figure out what you need to do to reduce your energy use. Feeling ill, the app will make a medical appointment and take care of all the related logistics. Other cities embracing the cognitive city concept include Woven in Japan, Songdo in South Korea, and Telosa in the United States. This may all sound rather futuristic, and it is. Much of it has yet to be built and proven. The concept of cognitive cities has some significant challenges related to privacy and the extent to which residents even want automation is every aspect of their lives. Toronto's proposed urban project, Sidewalk, haunts both the city and the developers, and is a litmus test for cognitive technology use, as issues surrounding privacy and data contributed greatly to its abandonment. In the marketplace of ideas, communities will need to balance the benefits of an AI-powered urban future versus the concerns and risks they present. These questions and others won't be second order issues but will need to be addressed as priorities as we enter the era of cognitive cities.
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Alef breaks ground on "Al Mamsha Raseel" in Sharjah
Sharjah: Alef, the leading real estate developer in the Emirate of Sharjah, has officially broken ground on Al Mamsha Raseel, the third zone of its landmark 'Al Mamsha' development located in Muwaileh, Sharjah. Valued at AED 1.1 billion, the project is expected to be completed by December 2028. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Alef officials, representatives from CC7, the contracting company, as well as representatives from the design and engineering teams. The event reflected the company's ongoing commitment to excellence and quality across every stage of the development. Al Mamsha Raseel will offer 2,210 modern residential units, ranging from one- to three-bedroom apartments, each with private balconies. The development will also feature lush green spaces, water features, and interactive fountains, all designed to deliver a fully integrated living experience that prioritises quality of life and aligns with Sharjah's progressive urban vision. On this occasion, Alef, Company stated that the Al Mamsha Raseel project is a strategic step in its journey to redefine the concept of residential communities in the Emirate of Sharjah. The project focuses on developing an urban environment that prioritizes human well-being and integrates quality of life, sustainability, and urban innovation. The company added that launching this project reflects its vision of providing a comprehensive residential environment, characterized by contemporary design and advanced infrastructure that meets the aspirations of the real estate market in the emirate. Alef also emphasized its full commitment to delivering Al Mamsha Raseel according to the set timeline and to the highest standards of quality in execution. Al Mamsha is Sharjah's first fully walkable community, designed to offer a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment that adheres to the highest standards of sustainability and urban planning. The addition of Al Mamsha Raseel reinforces Alef's commitment to creating high-quality living spaces that meet the evolving aspirations of residents and investors alike. About Alef Alef, founded by the late visionary Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi in 2013, stands today as a testament to his pioneering spirit in the realm of lifestyle experience provision. Operating from its central hub in Sharjah, UAE, this privately-owned entity has carved a niche for itself as a trailblazer in the creation of premier lifestyle communities, destinations, and experiences. The company's strategy hinges on insightful investment choices and the cultivation of strategic joint ventures, paving the way for innovation and excellence in the sector. With a commanding presence reflected in a robust AED 12 billion asset base and extensive land bank, Alef's premium developments are at the forefront, driving progress in both business and leisure initiatives. These developments are complemented by the company's dedication to building high calibre residential communities that set industry benchmarks. For a comprehensive overview of Alef's endeavours and to stay abreast of their latest developments, please visit our website at You are also encouraged to engage with us on our social media platforms: find us on LinkedIn (@AlefGroup), follow our Instagram feed (@AlefGroup), and subscribe to our YouTube channel (@AlefGroupLLC). For direct enquiries, call our toll-free number at 800-253-323.
