Smart Cities are cities of the future accompanying the Fourth Industrial Revolution Opinion Piece: Smart Cities
HE Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs, the Department of Municipalities and Transportation ( DMT), Abu Dhabi and General Coordinator of the World Urban Forum, deliberates on the cities of the future and the impact of urbanisation in the establishment of Smart Cities. He shares his thoughts ahead of and in the run up to the tenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) was held in the UAE capital from 8-13 February 2020.
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he Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterised by a considerable surge in new digital technologies and artificial intelligence. This trend has created a significant impact upon urbanisation and has played an essential part in the establishment of Smart Cities. With innovation harnessing enhancements across numerous areas of modern life, it is natural that technological advancements are applied to the places closest to us, in our homes and communities. The tenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) will outline the importance of establishing smart sustainable cities. Abu
30 FEBRUARY 2020
Dhabi is hosting the tenth session of the forum in partnership with UN-Habitat, an event that took place in the second week of February 2020, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Abu Dhabi will be the focus of attention for those interested in sustainable urban development during WUF10, as the city draws in experts in the smart and sustainable cities industry around the world. After announcing that more than 100 ministers and about 20,000 people from more than 160 countries will be hosted, we planned a series of discussions
solely focused on sustainable smart cities, as a central thread of the forum’s agenda throughout its six days.
Sustainability is technology Sustainable cities of the future can be defined as those that have the latest facilities in technology, buildings, renewable energy generation solutions, and environmental conservation. The sustainability of cities will contribute towards positive progress of future societies, as they become more developed and civilised on the path to sustainable development.
