From UAE’s Masdar City to Saudi’s futuristic NEOM project

More regions in the world are forging ahead into a smart future, with a growing number of governments developing cities that leverage information and communication technology (ICT). In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), countries are showcasing a strong commitment to transforming urban landscapes. According to Frost & Sullivan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia alone are investing nearly $50 billion in smart city projects through 2025.

Why build smart cities

The concept of smart cities began in the ‘60 and ‘70s. At the time, the US Community Analysis Bureau harnessed data, photography and analysis to direct resources and services. Now, it has evolved into a more purposeful phenomenon. Today’s smart cities utilize emerging technologies to tackle urban challenges, manage resources better and establish a sustainable, interconnected infrastructure.

A major driving force behind the rise of smart cities is the growing urban population.

According to estimates, 54 percent of the global population resides in urban areas. Projections indicate that by 2050, this figure will grow to 66 percent. This means that an additional 2.5 billion individuals will be part of the urban populace within the next thirty years. In MENA, almost 60 percent of the region’s population could already be dwelling in urban settings by 2030.

Hence, as the urban populace expands, the need to manage scarce resources becomes even more emphasized.

High-tech and efficient

Smart cities rely on a diverse tech ecosystem, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). IoT is a system of interconnected devices that communicate and share data. This encompasses a wide range of objects, from vehicles and household appliances to sensors located on streets and roads.

These cities use cloud computing, dashboards, machine learning and machine-to-machine communications among others to deliver connectivity, efficiency and improved services for their residents. Apart from these spaces being high-tech, they also focus on sustainability. Smart cities comprise energy-efficient structures and green spaces.

Masdar City as a ‘greenprint’ for smart cities

The UAE capital of Abu Dhabi has retained its title as MENA’s smartest city. Furthermore, it ranked 13th globally in the 2023 Smart City Index by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

It is only fitting for Abu Dhabi to earn such recognition as it is home to one of the most standout smart city projects in the region: Masdar City.

Its construction began in 2008, and it aspires to serve as the “greenprint” of smart and sustainable cities. With an estimated cost of about $20 billion, it will be a 6-square-kilometer eco-friendly, low-carbon urban oasis in the desert — all built from scratch. Located near the Abu Dhabi International Airport, it will be home to over 40,000 residents and 1,500 companies.

For sustainability

Earlier this year, The Link, a sustainability community project part of Masdar City, was also unveiled. The development spans over 30,000 square meters and encompasses the construction of environmentally conscious structures. Specifically, it will have event venues, shopping choices, leisure amenities and open-air squares.

“The UAE is ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability — it’s no longer a wish list or a ‘good to have’ idea. It’s no surprise that it’s a must-do now,” noted Masdar City Chief Executive Ahmed Baghoum in an interview with The National.

He added, “Our long vision is, of course, to advance, create, and lead efforts towards becoming net zero by 2050. We’d like to do that beforehand, and be pioneering and leading the efforts.”

Speaking at the recently concluded Abu Dhabi Smart City Summit, Department of Municipalities and Transport Chairman Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said, “Abu Dhabi’s global ranking at 13 out of 141 cities in the IMD Smart City Index 2023 reaffirms our commitment to openness, innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, validating our dedication to smart city development.”

Moreover, several relevant projects were launched during the occasion. These include the Smart City Platform, smart parks with IoT and Hala Wi-Fi for extensive public Wi-Fi coverage. At the event, Hyundai UAE also announced that it will roll out its Sonata Smart Taxi, the first AI-powered taxi in the region, in the next two months.

Urban innovations in Saudi

In 2019, the smart cities market in Saudi Arabia reached a valuation of $3.6 billion. Projections indicate that it could hit $14.845.2 billion by 2027.

As a response to the swift urbanization in Saudi Arabia, the country’s overarching Saudi Vision 2030 strategy has laid out specific objectives to usher in the era of smart cities. In 2017, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH) introduced the inaugural Smart Cities program, which will spearhead the transition towards urban smartness. Seventeen cities, representing 72 percent of the total population, were selected to undertake smart urban projects. Consequently, smart city initiatives have been set in motion in cities like Riyadh, Yanbu industrial city, Makkah, Jeddah, Medina, Al-Ahsa, and NEOM.

Among all these, NEOM has emerged as one of the most notable.

NEOM will span 26,500 square kilometers. Envisioned as an eco-friendly smart city, it will be devoid of cars and carbon emissions and powered by clean energy. This $500 billion megaproject is set to operate independently, with its own governing authority and economic zone.

Key initiatives within NEOM include “The Line,” a 170-kilometer linear city for nine million people and “Oxagon,” a cutting-edge port city. Additionally, it will also comprise “Trojena” a 60-square-kilometer ski resort, and “Sindalah,” an island resort in the Red Sea catering to yachting enthusiasts with an 86-berth marina.

More MENA countries follow suit

Elsewhere in the region, Oman and Qatar are also developing their own smart urban hubs. For instance, Lusail City in Qatar exemplifies sustainable living. The visionary city will feature GSAS-rated buildings, green landscapes, waste collection, sewage treatment and district cooling. On top of all these, there will be smart services supported by a command and control center.

Meanwhile, Oman is planning to construct Sultan Haitham City, a smart city for 100,000 residents outside Muscat. It will be a vibrant, data-driven urban space spanning 14.8 square kilometers. The plan includes essential amenities, traffic management and “smart infrastructure.” It aligns with Oman Vision 2040, focusing on sustainability with waste-to-energy plants, solar facilities and shade-providing structures.