A supplement of:
SMART CITIES REPORT
shaping the future PArsons’ exPerts discuss why dAtA Protection is key to develoPing smArt cities the amBitions of a kingdom how siemens is helPing sAudi ArAbiA Achieve its smArt city Ambitions
Big data, smarter cities
Big Project ME looks at how the intelligent use and analysis of big data is helping shape our urban environments
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Introduction
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Data on the mind
2
SHAPING THE FuTurE
E
ver since ‘Smart Cities’ became the region’s latest catchphrase, much of the discussion has focused on the physical technology that can be implemented across buildings, grids and transport networks. While hardware will certainly play a major role in the development of smart cities, this year’s edition of the Smart Cities Report primarily focuses on something that is less tangible, but far more crucial – the utilisation of Big Data. Data collection and analysis is shaping up to be one of the most important aspects of city management and planning in the near future. We’re already seeing governments and municipalities utilise data to plan and shape the way cities are expanding, but as the data grows, so will our understanding of it. This will allow us to create cities that will be highly optimised for the needs of residents and visitors, while also being increasingly efficient and sustainable.
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BIG DATA, SMArT CITIES
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A supplement of Big Project Middle East © Copyright 2018 CPI. All rights reserved
while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
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HOw TO MAKE A CITy SMArTEr?
Smart Cities Report 2018 01
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Data Protection
02 Smart Cities Report 2018
Data Protection
ShapIng the Future
Parsons’ experts discuss why the protection of data and digital infrastructure is going to be a key factor in the development of smart cities Connecting People Through Technology
Cities have always been defined by people: their dreams, their desires, their livelihoods. As we progress further into the 21st century, cities have also become technology ecosystems, with rich constellations of readily accessed information blurring the boundaries between digital and real life. As smart cities progress from science fiction to reality, it’s important to remember that by leveraging advances in data analysis, sensor technologies and urban conditions to improve efficiency, safety, sustainability and quality of life, smart cities better serve their people. Human-centred cities should be compact, diverse, walkable and attractive, and design elements should foster walkability and casual interaction without sacrificing connectivity to their
larger urban surroundings. However, these elements must also be sufficiently autonomous to provide resiliency and consistent functionality. Most importantly, our cities must be highly adaptable to respond to changes in the structure of economic and social activities. Data Is Key
Data is the new currency of urban environments and cities. Companies in various industries have recognised that big data drives revenue and is becoming ever more valuable, as it helps them make fact-based decisions to stimulate growth. What separates leading organisations is their ability to collect, manage and analyse this data. A report titled ‘Big & Fast Data: The Rise of Insight-Driven Business’ from research and consulting firm Capgemini, along with EMC, summarises the Smart Cities Report 2018 03
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Data Protection
Andrew Bevan
results of a survey of more than a thousand C-suite and senior decision-makers around the globe: • 65% of respondents indicated that their organisations were at risk of becoming uncompetitive due to the highly competitive data landscape. • 52% believed that such efforts were hampered due to limitations in their IT development processes. • 64% indicated that big data is changing traditional business boundaries and enabling new providers to move into their industries. • 54% reported that their big data investments over the next three years will outstrip past investments. • 43% have already reorganised or are currently reorganising to exploit new big data opportunities. • 61% acknowledged that big data is a driver of revenue and is becoming as valuable to their businesses as existing products and services. • 24% of companies reported disruption from 04 Smart Cities Report 2018
Nour Kassassir
new competitors moving into their industry. Collecting data and developing methods to transform that data into useful information will position companies in any industry to maintain market share and disrupt their immediate and adjacent markets, if such companies are willing to invest and act before they are disrupted themselves. AEC companies are some of the most vulnerable to these risks. The industry’s productivity growth rates have flatlined, and construction companies are trying to determine how artificial intelligence and deep learning can increase profitability by optimising construction sequencing and inspection processes while maintaining quality and safety. However, developing reliable and mature artificial intelligence (AI) learning models comes with its own set of challenges. Regardless of such challenges, AI, machine learning and deep learning are here to stay and are gaining momentum. Engineering and construction companies willing to invest their
“Data is the new currency of urban environments and cities. Companies in various industries have recognised that big data drives revenue and is becoming ever more valuable, as it helps them make factbased decisions to stimulate growth”
resources in analysing their bank of existing data, collecting new data from running projects, researching AI, conducting proofs of concept and developing plans to adopt these technologies will position themselves to maintain market competitiveness, grow market share and disrupt their immediate and adjacent markets. At Parsons, we’ve learned the value of enabling smart solutions that can integrate data, services and functionality onto a single unified platform through the deployment of iNET, an advanced transportation management system we have developed. This platform is valuable both for our customers and the people they serve because it generates meaningful, actionable information. Data is continually gathered to detect events on the roads, and with the use of predictive analytics and microsimulation tools, we can predict how the traffic network will perform depending on what actions are taken to address the event conditions (such as rerouting
Data Protection
traffic or rephasing traffic lights). With advanced decision support tools, the customer gains insight to inform the best possible decision to enable the rapid restoration of the network. This powerful tool enables transport authorities to maximise the efficiency of their road networks at any time and under any conditions. Secure Infrastructure is Critical to Data Integrity and Service Continuity
Interactive services and seamless integration are catalysing smart city innovation. Interactive services have garnered much attention with the deployment of various Internet of Things– enabled sensors. The growing complexity of smart infrastructure has increased the demand for security and thus made critical infrastructure protection and the seamless integration of security systems a top priority. The security landscape has drastically changed over the past few years, with the industry shifting toward smart systems and services for airports/ports, metros and many other mission-
George Arvanitis
critical smart city assets. With the move toward seamless integration capabilities and data analytics rather than standalone gadgets, vulnerability to cyber threats and security breaches is increasing. Cyber threats put countless physical systems at risk, including a vast array of devices that control industrial systems powering vital components of critical infrastructure, and security must be designed into the operational technology environment from the ground up to be fully integrated. Converged physical and cyber security systems boost an organisation’s ability to collect information from multiple sensors. Bringing different data streams together provides security operators with a more comprehensive view of risks and plays a key role in reducing response times and preventing security breaches. In addition, by enabling multiple systems to run off one server, integration simplifies systems operation and enables data exploitation to put more intelligence at the fingertips
rida hamza
“We must dictate the vision rather than allowing technology to dictate to us. Companies, cities, government agencies and service providers must work collaboratively to develop a robust approach to create solutions based on proven principles”
of the system operator. We Must Protect Our Cities, Infrastructure and Assets
The vulnerabilities of some of the older industrial control systems and SCADA control technology employed to operate them make them particularly susceptible to cyber threats. Many of these systems were not developed with robust cyber protection in mind and are directly or indirectly connected to some form of data network through which malware can be deployed. Industrial or transportation systems previously considered air-gapped from external networks are being exposed to vulnerabilities in peripherals, such as wireless networks, electronic payment systems and an increasingly digitally enabled operations and maintenance and general services supply chain. This vastly increased attack surface is now of critical concern to mass transit and utilities providers in particular, as they seek to use smart technology to improve operations
Stephen O’Connor
Smart Cities Report 2018 05
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“Interactive services and seamless integration are catalysing smart city innovation. Interactive services have garnered much attention with the deployment of various Internet of Things–enabled sensors” and consumer experience. The modelling and simulation and advanced multivariate analysis employed in the management of an active military battle space or defence system posture have both enhanced and learned from the increasing complexity of countering threats in cyber space. Defence systems engineering and planning tools built on complex threat analysis and re-engineering are being used to develop new response and intercept capabilities, and to support network architecture and physical lay-down. These tools have been expanded to benefit command-level agencies
by considering the appropriate supporting organisational structure, resourcing, procurement planning and supply chain management requirements needed to meet current and future emerging threats. The resilience and sustainability of these defence system models have increased through the integration of the cyber threat, just as the cyber and physical perimeter defence of critical infrastructure has been informed by models that may have been originally deployed in the Cold War era. As our day-to-day lives become more reliant on technology, responsible companies and
agencies must deliver, operate and maintain a secure digital environment by mitigating evolving threats to ensure our cities, infrastructure and assets remain safe and secure. Operational technology and cyber security must work as an integrated whole to maintain the integrity of our critical infrastructure. Data is key, and from data we can often identify and deliver new use cases and applications. It’s Not Just about Technology
Advancing technology has changed the way we think about cities and offers
potential solutions to a multitude of challenges. That said, if we don’t keep pace with technology and instead only attempt to react to it, uncoordinated and haphazard deployments could produce even more issues. We must dictate the vision rather than allow technology to dictate to us. Companies, cities, government agencies and service providers must work collaboratively to develop a robust approach to create solutions based on proven principles but tailored to specific needs, designed with an overarching people-first philosophy.
Keeping pace with technology City planners and governments need to keep pace with technology rather than only react to it, as that could lead to uncoordinated and haphazard deployments creating more issues.
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“Smart mobility, Smart buildingS, Smart gridS, Smart Security, Smart lighting, Smart parking, energy efficiency of power and water and Smart healthcare. SiemenS haS SolutionS in all theSe fieldS, and that giveS uS a unique edge” Ahmad Farrakh Manzoor, head of Building Technologies (BT) at Siemens Saudi Arabia, discusses the Kingdom’s ambitions to embrace smart cities and how the German giant is helping them achieve its aims 08 Smart Cities Report 2018
Smart Cities
Smart Cities Report 2018 09
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Smart Cities
a full and comprehensive portfolio As a global player, Siemens is uniquely positioned to contribute towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030, says Ahmad Farrakh Manzoor.
Can you outline your impressions of Saudi Arabia’s plans for smart cities?
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is transforming both socially and economically. This great nation has a clear vision for the future, as it pursues the development of smarter cities that are more sustainable, livable and competitive. With more than 82% of the Kingdom’s population already living in cities, and given that this trend will continue, cities will be at the heart of achieving the government’s vision of a smarter Saudi Arabia. Within the context of smart cities, we see a few trends that confirm that the environment is ripe for further development. With more than 50% of the population under the age of 30, Saudi Arabia already has a young, dynamic and techsavvy population, which truly provides the Kingdom with an edge in terms of human capital development and creative potential for the latest 10 Smart Cities Report 2018
and best urban solutions. Furthermore, the government’s track record in implementing e-government services for citizens and residents is outstanding. We are already seeing very positive results, especially if one considers how the smart infrastructure and digital solutions are significantly enhancing the experiences of pilgrims during their Hajj and Umrah visits. How is Siemens positioning itself to take advantage of the opportunities presented by this investment in smart cities?
Being a leading global player in the smart infrastructure market, we are uniquely positioned with a full and comprehensive portfolio to contribute towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030. Think about it: what are the main components of a smart city? Smart mobility, smart buildings, smart grids, smart security, smart lighting, smart parking, energy efficiency of power and water
“Saudi Arabia is transforming both socially and economically. This great nation has a clear vision for the future, as it pursues the development of smarter cities that are more sustainable, livable and competitive”
and smart healthcare. Siemens has solutions in all these fields, and that gives us a unique edge. In addition, we have our open IoT operating system, MindSphere, which integrates technologies across all domains and optimises the performance of infrastructure. In other words, MindSphere makes urban infrastructure smarter. Furthermore, MindSphere is vendor independent and can therefore connect to a standard open protocol in brown field and green field environments. What key offerings and initiatives will Siemens be bringing to the KSA market?
We are already very active in bringing next-generation healthcare, smart mobility, smart buildings, smart grids and energy efficiency solutions. I already mentioned MindSphere – we took a further step and established the MindSphere Application Centre (MAC) in Riyadh. The MAC has a team of experts that
Smart Cities
“Saudi Arabia is a highly attractive market, but it is also a very competitive market, which I think is good. With so many global changes and their impact, I guess that predictability will continue to be a challenge� are co-creating and co-designing digital applications on the MindSphere platform, together with our customers, as they pursue their digitisation journey. What are the challenges facing the uptake of smart cities in the Kingdom?
With a plethora of technologies that are offering bits and pieces here and there, I already see how confusion could reign among stakeholders. In addition, the tech revolution is a reality, and the pace of change is fundamentally
challenging solution providers. We hear more and more about co-creation, which really means that the users and providers of solutions work together in a new kind of partnership, characterised by new business models, delivery strategies and revenue streams. Therein lies some challenges as well. Overall, value chains are becoming shorter, which makes it more difficult to remain competitive. How is Siemens working with the KSA government and people
to resolve these challenges?
We are continuously engaged with various ministries and cities and are already proving our capabilities and portfolio in delivering smart solutions. To overcome the challenges, we are in dialogue with key stakeholders to introduce our future-oriented open technology that brings the smart aspects and at the same time is even more future proof. How does Vision 2030 tie into KSA’s ambitions to be a hub for smart cities?
There are aspects of Vision 2030 that are directly linked to smart cities. Firstly, Vision 2030 aims to have three Saudi Arabian cities ranked among the top 100 worldwide. Another key objective under Vision 2030 is to develop capacity so that the Kingdom can welcome 30 million pilgrims annually, up from the current eight million. These objectives talk directly to the need for smarter infrastructure in mobility, energy, water, healthcare, buildings and the like. As I mentioned earlier,
technology revolution The tech revolution is a reality and the pace of change is fundamentally challenging solution providers, says Manzoor.
Smart Cities Report 2018 11
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our unique proposition is our capability to integrate and optimise infrastructure with smart solutions that enhance experiences for citizens, visitors, investors and so on. Discuss the impact of NEOM on regional smart city ambitions.
NEOM is among the largest projects in recent years. It will be a smart, futuristic city that will operate on 100% renewable energy sources and deploy artificial intelligence. This project is a shining beacon not only for the region but for the world, and it shows that Saudi Arabia is serious about building smart urban environments for its people and the world. To me, Saudi Arabia is leading from the front and I applaud the vision and ambition of the Kingdom.
“The pricing for utilities could have a snowball effect in the smart city market, which can spur investment from around the globe into this sector�
What are the challenges around attracting foreign investment and companies involved with smart city technology, given the competition around the region?
How are you working with the KSA government to create legislation and regulations around the development of smart cities and the associated technology?
Saudi Arabia is a highly attractive market, but it is also a very competitive market, which I think is good. With so many global changes and their impact, I guess that predictability will continue to be a challenge, despite a relatively stable market. The continuing change in the energy landscape, especially with regard to subsidies and renewables, will be of interest to investors. Generally, the pricing for utilities could have a snowball effect in the smart city market, which can spur investment from around the globe into this sector.
We are not only involved with the government, but also with other stakeholders that administer communities and smaller cities, to provide our input along the path of reform with respect to policy, legislation and standards. The Saudi Building Code and Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO), among others, have already gone through substantial reforms over the last few years, and we are continuing to provide our input at all levels to make Saudi Arabia a leading global player in the smart city space.
providing input Siemens not only works with the KSA government, but also with other stakeholders that administer communities and smaller cities, to provide input with regard to policy, legislation and standards.
12 Smart Cities Report 2018
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Intelligent Design
Redefining SmaRt CitieS
Steven Velegrinis, head of Masterplanning and director of Operations, DP&E, UAE for AECOM, outlines how intelligent design can be a driver for environmental change We are living in a world that is transforming at an unprecedented pace, bringing never-before-seen challenges that require problemsolvers and innovators. It is increasingly becoming clear that the key to addressing our future challenges lies in the ability to move fluidly across discipline boundaries in interdependent ways, and finding a way to work that transcends conceptual divisions.
Among the many trends that have infiltrated urbanism over the past decade, the so-called smart city has been one of the most talked-about. Traditionally, the definition has been limited to a technologically-driven view of cities, with very little to do with the concept of intelligent design or symbiotic development. According to the Intelligent Community Forum, a New York-based think-tank, smart cities “… apply information and communications technology to accurately monitor, measure and control city processes, from transportation to water supplies, the location of city vehicles to the performance of electric grids. Smart cities are about saving money, becoming more efficient and delivering
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better service to the taxpayer.” However, this emphasis on technology does not address the fundamental nature of cities as a marriage between their environment and their development. As the urbanist Stephen Read has outlined: “The city is no longer something we can understand as architecture, as a mass of formed material that we can distinguish from a non-material void which can be characterised as countryside or periphery – or as in any event ‘not-city’.” Cities have traditionally been conceived as being in opposition to ecology. Environments such as forests and wetlands are viewed as ‘nature’, while cities are considered ‘not nature’. This dialectical opposition of cities and nature has led to the separation of urbanism and ecological function under the rubric of urban planning. This dichotomy has put cities at odds with planetary ecology, resulting in a number of scenarios that highlight the dumb nature of smart cities. Technology = smart?
An example that illustrates this is the design of New Orleans
Intelligent Design
defining a smart city According to the Intelligent Community Forum, smart cities can be defined as those that apply information and communications technology to accurately monitor, measure and control city processes.
in Louisiana. New Orleans was established in a fundamentally unsuitable landscape, a wetland that regularly floods and continues to do so. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, this fact was painfully evident and left the city with crippling repercussions. And yet we continue to build cities on fundamentally unsuitable land. And as land scarcity rapidly increases, this situation will only be exacerbated and the same mistakes repeated. In Asia, cities like Songdo in Seoul, South Korea stand as cautionary tales against the over-reliance on technology as a panacea. Songdo is regarded as the first purpose-built smart city and was built adjoining Incheon Airport in Seoul on a plain of reclaimed land. However, despite being seen as an expansion to the incredibly over-crowded city of Seoul, Songdo is a city that is neither complete nor occupied. With 10 years of construction and nearly $50bn spent, Songdo is a city without a substantive population. Songdo is marketed as a smart city, a city built with an integrated high-tech environment, opening to businesses in 2009 with the hope of attracting international businesses and families alike by providing a futurist, highquality experience. Currently, only 20% of the commercial space is occupied, despite significant financial incentives for businesses and a collection of residential high-rises, most of which are vacant. No collection of sensors, technologies and information technology will stop the destruction of this city. This is when the smartness of the city must be called into question. Truly smart cities resolve challenges and create
Smart Cities Report 2018 15
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functioning adaptive ecologies before applying technology to promote a quality of life. In a day and age when the undeniable truth of global climate change is that urbanisation has had a fundamental impact on planetary ecology, our cities have to work to reverse the damage. Cities, as the main protagonists of consumption and infrastructure, must accept their responsibility to act as agents of positive ecological change. This is implicit in the need for urban resilience in the infrastructure and ecological systems of our biome. Only when we start designing cities as functioning ecologies can we claim they are smart. We must design projects to actively engage
engaging with the landscape Projects must be designed to actively engage with the landscape dynamics, says Steven Velegrinis.
with the landscape dynamics, to grow and subsequently shape coherent ecological systems that enhance urban resilience while providing significant development and amenity. Engineering firms today need to embody the very idea of the multi-disciplinary resolution of global problems and actively seek resilient urban solutions. New cities need to function as an example of how development can avoid being a net destroyer of ecological function. These ideas are by no means a complete solution for the considerable challenges that humanity faces, but they do map a trajectory towards a smarter, more resilient ecological future.
“The city is no longer something we can understand as architecture, as a mass of formed material that we can distinguish from a nonmaterial void which can be characterised as countryside or periphery� a smarter, more resilient ecological future Engineering firms today need to embody the idea of the multi-disciplinary resolution of global problems and actively seek resilient urban solutions.
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Big Data, Smart CitieS Dr Nigel Mehdi summarises the key findings of the RICS ‘Big Data, Smart Cities, Intelligent Buildings – Surveying in a Digital World’ report
B
ig data is a term used to refer to large, complex data sets which cannot be analysed using traditional data analysis techniques. The use of big data is becoming a key basis of competition and growth for professional firms, and is already affecting every area of business activity, including real estate, construction and the built environment. Spatially referenced big data is impacting every aspect of the surveying profession, and chartered surveyors need to understand what big data is and engage with its implications. These range from smart cities and intelligent buildings through to property information relating to construction costs, property markets, land use and valuation data. 18 Smart Cities Report 2018
Given the size of the data being captured and stored, it’s easy to see why the term big data has arisen, but there is more to big data than the problem of size. The technical definition of big data commonly includes reference to the three v’s of volume (terabytes, petabytes or even exabytes of information), velocity (continuously generated data analysed in real time or near-real time) and variety (drawn from a number of different data sources). These characteristics have come to typify the standard depiction of big data. Technicalities aside, there is also a socio-technical dimension overlooked by engineers, computer specialists and data analysts who often treat data as being technically neutral. However, data do not exist independently of the ideas, practices and contexts used to manage or generate them, and big data also raises ethical questions around privacy and privacy trade-offs, data-sharing, anonymity, security and consent. The term big data can be used to refer to the data themselves (the origin of the
Big Data
Smart Cities Report 2018 19
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term), or to a collection of digital technologies that support the capture, storage and analysis of big data. These technologies have enjoyed a fast path to technological maturity, an example of combinatorial innovation, resulting in a technology wave with far-reaching implications for business and society as a whole. Previous examples include the petrol engine in the early 1900s, electronics in the 1920s, integrated circuits in the 1970s and the internet itself since the 1990s. If big data is being adopted quickly, it is partly due to its underpinning role in the development of a new generation of disruptive technologies. The result can be seen in new tech companies that come from nowhere to revolutionise an industry segment. These digital technologies tap into the emerging shared economy and success is often based on the development and ownership of a platform (Airbnb, Rightmove, Uber, Walulel). Writing about the future of real estate, Andrew Baum calls this area PropTech 3.0, and explains that these new technologies will have a radical impact on property, a slow-moving asset class in a conservative industry. The convergence of big data, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) is of particular relevance to the future of real estate. The IoT is the networked world of connected devices, objects and people. Blockchain is a decentralised network of digital records (sometimes called ledgers) that link to a particular asset. Together with big data, they form part of a trinity that will transform the urban realm and the outlook for the property profession over the next decade. Other consequences of big data relate to employment. It is predicted that some skills will be replaced through computerisation and the advent of big data. 20 Smart Cities Report 2018
the future of real estate The convergence of big data, blockchain and the Internet of Things is of particular relevance to the future of real estate, says Dr Nigel Mehdi.
Researchers at the University of Oxford examined nearly 700 occupations and identified which were most susceptible to computerisation. Some occupations were classified as being at high risk of unemployment, based on their potential to be automated over the next decade or two. The research found that those jobs most susceptible to computerisation were generally (not exclusively) those with lower wages and lower educational requirements. Many occupations relating to the built environment are under threat from big data applications and computerisation. Jobs with a high degree of specialisation in an area that lends itself to computerisation are at greatest risk. Those with higher levels of qualification seem more immune to computerisation, but it has also been suggested that the fields least under threat are those that require more creative intelligence. One of the central aspects of big data applications is the fact that computer systems can
“Data do not exist independently of the ideas, practices and contexts used to manage or generate them, and big data also raises ethical questions around privacy and privacy trade-offs, data-sharing, anonymity, security and consent�
access and comb through large volumes of data to answer specific queries. Data that have formed a key part of a chartered surveyor’s professional expertise for many years are increasingly moving into the public domain. The publication of property transaction prices makes this information machinesearchable and allows machinelearning algorithms to process data and automate processes that were once the preserve of qualified professionals. Even if an individual professional process cannot be fully automated, it is possible that parts of the task will be, thereby reducing the number of qualified professionals required. Despite the threats posed to certain built environment occupations, RICS members are already in the vanguard of those specifying and adopting building information modelling (BIM), which makes it a good place to start, considering how big data is changing the way we work. BIM is a data-driven holistic modelling system based on 3D CAD. These data are essentially the specifications and drawings that make up the building model, and they are confidential, proprietary data owned by the creator or building owner. One of the narratives of those promoting big data is the promise of shared and publicly available data, but despite the name Open BIM, there is no proposal to open the data for access beyond authorised members of a project team. In fact, there is no obvious reason why private data of this kind should be put into the public domain, and here we see the dichotomy between the growing pool of open data and the equally fast-growing islands of private data generated by the use of BIM and other building-level data sources. Beyond BIM, there is also a considerable amount of other private data used by chartered
Big Data
surveyors and other property professionals to manage buildings over their lifecycle. Modern building management systems generate large quantities of digital data from sensors, and these are stored and analysed using big data technologies. Big data is central to the creation of advanced building management systems, which prioritise the efficient use of resources by a building, controlling costs while still providing a highquality internal environment. Data taken from a variety of sources are fed to the building management system, which then determines the best course of action, for example managing an HVAC system in response to changes in external environmental conditions. The most advanced systems go beyond simple reactive measures and include data streams such as short-term weather forecasts and data on a building’s thermal properties to improve the energy efficiency of building operation. This has become an increasingly important consideration within built environment professions over the last two decades. The use of big data is opening new avenues in the way cities may be shaped in the future, as well as generating a better understanding of the components that make up cities, such as buildings and infrastructure. Cities and the built environment represent an overlapping group of complex systems. These range in scale from individual lamp posts or waste bins to buildings, streets, green spaces, neighbourhoods and communities. They cover urban, national and international networks, including energy, transport, leisure, waste and water distribution systems. These activities systems represent a wealth of data, which offers the opportunity to improve urban management systems and resource efficiency. The
emerging smart cities have the potential to provide a better living environment for urban residents, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of the built environment. This arguably makes smart cities the most tangible embodiment of the benefits of big data and the transformative effect that it will have on human society. Overall, big data looks set to revolutionise professions throughout the RICS umbrella. It poses a series of challenges, including effective adoption, the potential for job losses in RICS professions and keeping abreast of developments, given the rapid pace of change. It offers new areas of opportunity as new areas in which to conduct business emerge. It will also revolutionise practice, as building data are increasingly applied to improve efficiencies and make the built environment as a whole more sustainable. As a string of new technologies and data streams are combined, the net result will be a sea change, and it is essential for RICS
“One of the narratives of those promoting big data is the promise of shared and publicly available data, but despite the name Open BIM, there is no proposal to open the data for access beyond authorised members of a project team”
members to anticipate the future direction of their professions in order to adapt – and to not just continue, but thrive in the new environment that is emerging. References Baum, A., 2017. Prop Tech 3.0: the future of real estate, University of Oxford Research. Christensen, C.M., 2017. Disruptive Innovation in The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd Ed. Interaction Design Foundation. Frey, C.B, and Osborne, M.A., 2013. The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation, University of Oxford, Martin School. Greengard, S., 2015. The Internet of Things MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. Harkness, T., 2016. Big Data: Does Size Matter? Bloomsbury Sigma, London. Kitchin, R., 2014. The Data Revolution: Big Data, Open Data, Data Infrastructures & Their Consequences, SAGE Publications Ltd, London. Parker, G.G., Van Alstyne, M.W., and Choudary, S.P., 2017. Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets are Transforming the Economy – And How to Make Them Work for You, W.W. Norton & Co, New York. Thompson, B., and Waller, A., 2017. The impact of emerging technologies on the surveying profession, RICS insight paper. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, London. Varian, H., 2010. Computer Mediated Transactions, American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings 100: 1–10.
Opening new avenues The use of big data is opening new avenues in the way cities may be shaped in the future, as well as generating a better understanding of the components that make up cities, such as buildings and infrastructure.
Smart Cities Report 2018 21
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Smart Utilities
Improving quality of life A smart city taps into the advantages of communication infrastructure and technology to improve quality of life for its citizens.
22 Smart Cities Report 2018
Smart Utilities
How to make a cIty smarter
Michael Boyle and Katherine Bruce of AESG explain how intelligent utility planning is a crucial aspect of developing a smart city More people today live in cities than in rural areas. The accelerating growth of our urban environment is leading to an increased strain on existing infrastructure. With the help of technology, public and private sectors are turning to innovative ways to make cities smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The broad definition of a smart city is a city that taps into the advantages of communication infrastructure and technology to improve quality of life for its citizens. Three key parameters underpin the network of a smart city; energy, water and transportation. Optimising this nexus will empower citizens to make smarter decisions and secure the city’s future. Energy is arguably one of the most important aspects in smart city planning. Energy grids have typically flowed in one direction – power generation, transmission and distribution. Now energy grids are facing an increasing mix of energy generation and storage technologies, from solar PV to battery technologies. Adopting these technologies will help reduce demand and improve efficiency and reliability. Adaptability is key as grids move towards a decentralised approach.
However, cities face the expense of upgrading existing infrastructure and the problems of technology interoperability. Governments will need to consider innovative policy and regulatory approaches, enhanced public-private sector partnerships and opportunities for innovative business models to commercialise smart city data and overcome barriers. Buildings consume the majority of energy supplied to cities. This is particularly the case in Dubai, where the hot summers require significant cooling loads. A network of sensors would also enable monitoring of energy in real time, allowing consumers to save money. For example, energy rates may be determined by demand – appliances like washing machines could be set to turn on automatically when the energy demand is low and the price is cheap. Furthermore, intelligent systems may learn how occupants behave and move in a building, enabling automation of HVAC systems that optimise thermal comfort while conserving energy. Alongside energy, water is also an essential resource in the UAE – on average it rains only 10cm each year. However, the country is one of the highest water consumers per capita in the world. Energy-
Smart Cities Report 2018 23
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Improving reliability Data from apps such as Uber, Google Maps and RTA can provide government and infrastructure planners with vital data to improve reliability of transportation networks, says Michael Boyle.
intensive desalination provides the majority of potable water. Smart technology may be used to build a resilient water network in places like Dubai where the city is under pressure from growing demand and water scarcity. Sensors present across the water supply network would indicate pressure, temperature, flow rate, water quality and consumer use. When training algorithms are applied to allow sensors to learn and communicate with each other, utilities companies can use the information to make strategic decisions on infrastructure investment, streamline maintenance procedures and identify leaks and pressure loss. Similarly, at consumer level, smart water meters would quickly identify leaks and unnecessary overconsumption, allowing occupants greater transparency and control. City transportation systems are a key component for quality
enabling better decisions Data can be analysed by government and city planners to create recommendations that enable better decisions, says Katherine Bruce.
of life in a city. In places like Dubai, public and private road transportation are the key modes of commuting and logistics. To alleviate the dependence on cars, we need to look at smarter transportation systems. Data from apps such as Uber, Google Maps and RTA can provide the government and infrastructure planners with vital data on transportation routes, areas of congestion and times issues occur. Furthermore, the data can be used to improve the reliability of the public transportation network by providing visibility on arrivals, departures and route information. To encourage car-pooling and public transportation use, multi-modal fare integration would help people to use multiple transport options without the hassle of purchasing different tickets. Moreover, the tickets could be purchased through a centralised app, removing the need for physically printed
tickets. Integrated transit hubs, strategically located throughout the city, would link the available transportation modes with commuters, for an easier and more efficient flow of commuters in and around the city. Furthermore, the implementation of bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly options such as bike sharing systems can remove the dependence on vehicular traffic. A public bicycle sharing system, such as the one implemented in London, is a successful service in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a very short-term basis. Smartphone mapping apps show nearby stations and availability of bikes, increasing the convenience for users. Finally, the people living in a city are one of the most complex sensors a city can have. Nowadays the majority of city residents own a smartphone,
wearable self-tracking device or similar. A smartphone is a highly personalised piece of technology – two identical smartphones from two different people are set up and used completely differently, in terms of the installed apps, usage patterns and social media content. These devices gather enormous amounts of data about the individual using them, and the data gathered and shared by these devices gives an insight into the actual preferences, behaviours and knowledge of the people living in the city. This data can then be analysed by government and city planners to create recommendations that enable better decisions by understanding what makes a city tick, what works, what doesn’t, what people use and what they don’t. A true smart city uses all the available data and analytical results to inform better decisions and outcomes for residents.
“Governments will need to consider innovative policy and regulatory approaches, enhanced public-private sector partnerships and opportunities to commercialise smart city data and overcome barriers” 24 Smart Cities Report 2018
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digital revolution The volume of data currently being generated by our devices is propelling a new age of digital revolution.
Karthik Venkatasubramanian
Smart CitieS: the data opportunity Karthik Venkatasubramanian, senior director – Data Strategy and Operations at Oracle Construction and Engineering According to a report by Orbis Research, the global smart city market was valued at $529.55bn in 2017 and is forecast to reach 1.944tn by the end of 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.21% between 2018 and 2023.
This growth is largely fuelled by an increased demand for innovative solutions in areas such as transportation, energy use, water and environmental sustainability, and has been driven by an expansion of urban populations. Looking at some examples of smart cities, you could argue they 26 Smart Cities Report 2018
fall into two categories. There are those like NEOM and Al Qidiya in Saudi Arabia being built from the ground up, which provides a unique opportunity to embed digital from the beginning. Then there are existing cities adopting modern technology to solve specific or holistic challenges to urban living, such as traffic congestion, energy use and waste. Amsterdam, named European Capital of Innovation by the European Commission, is a case study in itself. The city’s use of IoT, approach to open data, creation of a smart city platform and the
collaboration it fosters between public and private enterprises are models worth noting. Whether ‘digital by design’ or ‘digital by choice’, the unprecedented volume of data being generated is propelling a new age of digital revolution. The IoT-fuelled explosion of new technologies such as sensors, drones and meters, combined with ‘smartification’ of everyday products like lightbulbs, fridges and televisions, is changing everyday life. Most cities are undertaking some form of initiative to smartify public services such
as transportation, for the health, safety and productivity of residents. Echoing this growth in technology use, Oracle Construction and Engineering has established an Innovation Lab in the US to help organisations explore the latest solutions to accelerate digital transformation. The lab is designed as a simulated project work-site with integrated technologies, enabling visitors to interact with various leading-edge solutions, including connected devices, autonomous vehicles, drones, augmented reality, data visualisation and artificial
Smart Data
things – the underlying assumption is that we become happier, healthier, safer. That’s certainly the plan anyway. In reality, while it solves some problems, it creates new ones, including questions around data security. The data approach
“Project owners and contractors are using data to make informed decisions throughout the different phases of a project”
intelligence tools. This smart work-site aims to bring to life the performance improvements and data insights these technologies can deliver at scale. Smartification of everyday life
Data can now provide insights into how people live in their homes, through energy use, food consumption (smart fridges, etc), waste management, health, fitness, entertainment – how they move, through travel by bike, car, train, plane, boat or foot, and how they work. Connected buildings, cars, homes and people are sending
signals constantly – what’s happening at any time, where they are, what’s going wrong, what might go wrong, when they need proactive intervention. Generating insights into what has happened and why is one thing, but when all this data is used predictively through AI, machine learning and deep learning, the paradigm is transformational – and one that we don’t necessarily fully understand. Why is all this important? Because when data starts to change our patterns of behaviour – what we do, where we go and how we do
In our experience, more and more project owners and contractors are using data to make informed decisions throughout the different phases of a project. But when the project is complete, two assets are now handed over – the physical and the digital. Not only do these digital twins need to be maintained, but the data that these smart, connected buildings generate need to be collected, secured, analysed and used. In general, it’s fair to say that data is owned by the people who create it. Residents should be encouraged to share data when they get something in return – lower power bills, reduced insurance premiums, congestionfree commutes, safer cities, faster emergency services and the like. Many cities around the globe have successfully implemented public and private partnerships and collaborations to provide real benefits to residents (Amsterdam is a good case in point). Key to all of this is ensuring that the right technologies are in place to produce, capture and analyse this data quickly, safely and effectively, and the cloud plays a vital role in realising those outcomes. It’s difficult to categorically state that smart cities are leading to happier, healthier and safer citizens. Ironically, we’ll need much more data before we can assess that. What we do know is that generating more data and mining it for insights will enable us to make better decisions, both reactive and predictive. And this can only be a good thing for enriching people’s lives. Smart Cities Report 2018 27
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Ducab: connecting smart cities Ducab, a UAE manufacturing company, explains how its products have contributed towards the country’s smart city transformation, with its cables used to deliver power, connect smart systems and protect buildings Dubai has a clear vision: to be a world-leading smart city. Powered by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, initiatives to introduce innovation and digitisation across the emirate have attracted more than $20 billion of foreign direct investment in high-end technology transfers in just the last three years. This not only sets the tone for Dubai’s ambition, but demonstrates that the world is keen to participate in the emirate’s transformation towards using technology as a driver of economic growth.
While foreign direct investment is a powerful component of any city’s development strategy, creating a strong base for growth is an essential step. Social, economic and environmental sustainability creates a solid foundation on which a smart city will thrive. A smart city thrives by weaving together societal fabric, promoting engagement, applying collaborative leadership methods and working across disciplines and city systems, using data and technology to respond to the most pressing issues it may face.
28 Smart Cities Report 2018
The government is undoubtedly driving Dubai’s transformation, but support from the private sector will always be required in order to create a fully integrated, technology-rich society. As a leading UAE manufacturing company for nearly 40 years, Ducab has a lot to contribute to the country’s smart city transformation. Its cables are used in the delivery of power, to connect smart systems, to help protect buildings and in many more applications, including the development of entirely new products specifically designed to the needs of the UAE’s growing society. Not only is Ducab creating products that contribute to the growth of Dubai’s smart city vision, it is empowering the emirate’s economic diversification efforts too, by remaining a steadfast contributor to a growing industrial sector. When it comes to connecting smart cities, quality must remain a focus. Ducab takes pride in providing a quality-assured product range that adheres to strict global standards, and the company believes that, apart from ensuring its products meet these standards,
Quality in focus Ducab provides a quality-assured product range that adheres to strict global standards.
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it also has a responsibility to educate others on the importance of using standards-compliant electrical wiring and cables. All of Ducab’s factories are ISO 9001-certified. Since 1979, Ducab has been recognised for its environmental, health and safety standards, the quality of its products and its commitment to excellence, with numerous certifications. Ducab’s Quality Management system has been certified to ISO 9000 since 1993; Ducab’s Environmental Management system is certified by BASEC to ISO 14001; and Ducab achieves extraordinary results in the industry without compromising the safety of its employees, with its Health and Safety system certified to OHSAS 18001. The company is also committed to diversifying its product range to meet the energy needs of a smart city. This includes a full range of low-, medium- and high-voltage products – the last of which was developed through the Ducab HV venture, the first dedicated high-voltage (60-150kV) and extra-high-voltage (220-500kV) power cable manufacturing facility in the Middle East. This range is particularly praised by public authorities which operate within the electricity sector. Creating smarter solutions and technical innovations has long been part of Ducab’s history. Having opened in 2008, for example, Ducab Copper Rod Factory was not only the first casting copper plant in the UAE, but also made Ducab the first in the region to have both aluminium and copper rods in its repertoire. Ducab was also the first cable manufacturer in the world to introduce and qualify 60-year sustainable halogen-free nuclear cables that meet the most stringent
cable testing standards – such as IEEE, prevalent in North America. Called Ducab NuBICC, these cables were customised and adapted to the needs of the UAE’s first four nuclear power plants, of which they have become an integral component. Their high level of qualification assures reliable performance over the lifetime of the nuclear plant and during fire emergencies, when the cables will not emit smoke or toxic fumes and will restrict the fire from spreading. A strong local supply chain is also key to smart city planning. Local high-quality products allow UAE entities to pursue their smart city projects faster, more securely and in the most cost-effective manner. To cater for the growing market for aluminium, for example, Ducab Aluminium Company (DAC), a joint venture between Ducab and SENAAT, was officially inaugurated in January 2018 in the Khalifa Industrial Zone of Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) following an investment of $60 million for buildings, machinery and infrastructure. The company has the capacity to manufacture 50,000 metric tonnes of high-quality electrical grade aluminium rod and overhead conductor per annum, supplying to both local and international customers. As a trusted partner in city planning, Ducab has supplied electrical cables to a number of landmark projects in the UAE, including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Metro, Emirates Palace, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm and Yas Marina Circuit. The company has also built an international presence by supplying power cables to international projects such as the Ras Gas Project, Central Bank of Oman and Dilmunia Health Centre in Bahrain, among others.
Smart Cities Report 2018 29
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Sustainable Smart Cities
Working with the private sector EWS-WWF is looking to work with the private sector to develop technologies that advance the use of renewable and sustainable resources in the UAE.
Fast-tracking sustainability
Abdulla Al Nuaimi, director of Business Development, Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF, explains how EWS-WWF’s Climate Change and Renewable Energy department is supporting the UAE’s energy transition by developing partnerships with the private sector
The pursuit of sustainability has become a central topic of conversation throughout the private sector in the UAE. At the core of this discussion is the vast potential this country has in the field of renewable energy.
In fact, with record low prices for solar photovoltaic in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (at 2.99 and 2.42 $ cents per kWh respectively), the UAE is now positioned as a global hub for renewable energy development. This
30 Smart Cities Report 2018
progress has resulted in some businesses proactively installing solar panels on their rooftops, contributing to the UAE’s target of 44% renewable energy capacity by 2050. However, ambitious goals are rarely accomplished without overcoming challenges, and as climate change shows no signs of slowing down, there is an urgent need to act. Enabling the UAE’s energy transition
The UAE Ministry of Energy and
Industry (MOEI) and Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) see the protection of the natural environment as a priority. In facilitating the sustainability of our water resources and our energy sector, MOEI and EWS-WWF recently released a report entitled ‘Enabling the UAE’s Energy Transition: Top Ten Priority Areas for Renewable Energy Policymakers’. This report provides decision-makers
across the UAE with sciencebased, stakeholder-driven recommendations to accelerate the UAE’s progress towards its long-term renewable energy targets. This move to renewable energy is a crucial measure in addressing climate change and ensuring people can live in harmony with nature. The fact that renewable energy changes are occurring in a major oilproducing country like the UAE is something that I hope will inspire
Sustainable Smart Cities
support emerging technologies One of the key policy recommendations from EWS-WWF is to support emerging technologies, like the ones seen at The Sustainability City.
ToP TEn kEy Policy rEcoMMEndATion ArEAs
other oil export-dependent countries in the region. Private sector innovation
The findings of this report show that the private sector in the UAE is integral to the required energy solutions. In fact, private sector case studies are already demonstrating commitment to innovation in this area – The Sustainable City (TSC), a lowcarbon residential and mixeduse development in Dubai by
1. competition: Promote open and fair competition between technologies, based on transparent, marketbased mechanisms across the energy value chain. 2. co2 targets: Complement existing renewable energy targets with a pathway for CO2 emissions reductions. 3. renewable energy targets: Establish a fully flexible renewable energy policy framework which sets review milestones and interim targets. 4. Firmness and flexibility: Enable technology-neutral auctions that adapt to changing requirements as the system and energy economics evolve over time. 5. demand-side management: Accelerate energy efficiency improvements across all sectors with measures that have the greatest energy-saving potential.
6. The water-power nexus: Decouple power generation and water desalination through the introduction of additional stand-alone water production plants powered by renewable energy. 7. Emerging technologies: Support development of and competition among emerging technologies such as seasonal storage and electric vehicles. 8. networks: Prevent congestion and ensure that costs to resolve constraints are kept to a minimum, to keep the network as efficient as possible. 9. interconnection: Build a regulatory framework for efficient dispatch between domestic utilities, and consider regional trading with KSA and Oman. 10. innovation: Encourage research and development by government, private sector and academic institutions for locally relevant solutions.
Diamond Developers, is one such case. It aims to become the first operational net zero energy development in the emirate. TSC and EWS-WWF have formed a strategic partnership with the aim of tackling climate change, promoting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We are working together closely in conducting a GHG assessment and report, showcasing the benefits of powering a community through solar PV rooftop installations, and organising community events. Thanks to new efficiency measures, TSC residents incur zero electricity costs some months per year. The ongoing innovation at TSC demonstrates the practicalities of low carbon growth and puts forward a practical and successful business case for pursuing an energy transition in the UAE. Mutually beneficial partnerships
Transitioning to renewable energy has the potential to create great economic opportunities for countries committed to reducing their emissions. The report by MOEI and EWS-WWF shows that economic growth and job creation – in addition to energy security and emissions reduction – are important private sector considerations in this pursuit. For this reason, we are inviting private sector entities from across all sectors to support local initiatives by partnering with EWS-WWF’s Climate and Energy Programme. As a nonprofit organisation, EWS-WWF is committed to helping our society redefine its relationship with our planet so that people can live in harmony with nature. It is through mutually beneficial partnerships that tackling climate change becomes a reality.
Smart Cities Report 2018 31
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Last Word
The Future of Homes
Kaizar Patla, head – Consumer Assets at ADCB, outlines how residents can use smart technology to update their homes and improve their own efficiencies
The UAE is on track to be one of the world’s leading smart cities in the very near future, so what does that mean for our homes? Smart digital technology is something that is making its way into all our homes and can help make life much easier.
In the UAE, developers are now frequently collaborating with technology leaders to provide solutions to home buyers, equipping homes with the latest network infrastructure, cloud-based safety and smart solutions, while other authorities, such as utilities and telecoms, are also heavily investing in improving the lives of UAE residents by providing customised digital smart home solutions. However, you don’t need to move to a new house to benefit from a smart home. Whether looking to update on a small or large scale, you can take simple steps to update your own home. Why should you go smart?
A smart home is an intuitive one. For example, lights, air conditioning, audiovisual, security systems and major appliances can all be connected and controlled, whether you’re at home or abroad, through an internet connection. Here are some ways you can evolve your house into a smart home: The set-up
1. The first thing to consider when making changes to the interior is equipping your home with enough power outlets at pre-decided points, for easy connectivity of all devices. 2. Network your home with strong Ethernet cables for easy installation of smart hub devices in accessible spots. These are the main players in any smart home, as they can run with multiple devices connected to them. 3. Ensure that you have a strong wireless connection with an extendable router in your rooms for better
32 Smart Cities Report 2018
connection. The router should be placed in the centre of the room so that all devices are able to access the internet. It is important that you have fast internet speed, as multiple devices will be connected, along with anyone also using the internet at home. Smart devices
Many retailers across the UAE already offer a range of smart home solutions at varying prices for your budget. Here are some top smart devices that are easily available now: 1. Virtual home assistants allow you to control all your smart devices at home by using your voice. You can connect your smart lights, air conditioning, music and other devices, making it easier for you to control and access them. 2. Smart locks are designed to help you open house doors with a tap of a finger by communicating with the Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Smart doorbells let you answer your door from your phone. They are also equipped with a camera, meaning you can see and often speak to the person at the door. 4. Smart home security cameras mean you can keep a close watch on your house while away at work or even on holiday. Or, if you have a pet, they are also the ideal solution for monitoring them while you’re out. These cameras can also send motion-activated alerts to your phone with a built-in siren, so that if needed, you can trigger the alarm and take necessary action. These come in indoor and outdoor form. 5. Smart lights come with a Wi-Fi enabling bridge, dimmers and a remote, allowing you to control your lights through your personal device or voice assistant. 6. Smart air conditioning helps save energy by bringing your home to
the right temperature before you arrive. It learns your habits, adjusts itself and makes it convenient for you. 7. Say goodbye to your vacuum cleaner; mop floors with a smart cleaning device. This device will do all the dirty cleaning work by using navigation software and sensors to map out the most efficient route and automatically avoid obstructions. Smart solutions in homes are growing rapidly and show no sign of stopping. Home automation and monitoring solutions give you full control over your home by saving energy and, in the simplest form, connecting to Wi-Fi. Whether you’re planning to upgrade your home or make these changes in your new property, choose the right kind of smart solutions and make your home the smart home of the future.
OCTOber 28, 2018 – HabTOOr Grand HOTeL, dubai, uae
Join us on October 28, 2018 as we move the BIM revolution forwards with our very first BIM-focused conference. An exclusive, invite only event that educates construction executives about: The reality of biM implementation • The obstacles facing BIM implementation and how they have been overcome data Sharing and Security • Is the GCC ready to adopt Cloud-based BIM? • Protecting data and respecting confidentiality The Future of biM • Keynote presentation • Game changing trends in BIM • Designing and modelling on the fly Collaboration and biM • The importance of information sharing • Real-time updates shared amongst stakeholders risk Management and biM • Predicting challenges and resolving issues during the design stage • Ensuring engagement across the supply chain biM and MeP engineering • Achieving MEP sustainability through effective planning and design FOr FurTHer inFOrMaTiOn: Raz Islam, Publishing Director T +971 4 375 5471 e raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com
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