Well, what’s the most innovative city? New York? Tokyo? Seoul? Probably. But Dubai in the UAE plans to grab this title by 2024. The Emirate’s government focuses on modern technologies both in public and private sectors, eco-friendly initiatives, and the happiness of citizens. You can find main info and contact representatives via the official Smart Dubai site. Further, we make a quick breakdown of the most important points.
Those who follow various studies may doubt the success of Dubai. For instance, in 2017 EasyPark’s index this city was 38th only. In 2018, IESE placed it in 60th place only. Finally, in 2018\2019 report dedicated to smart city governments, Dubai was 40th. But remember that there were only 10 thousand residents in 1910! Developers still have two years to complete their ambitious project and, honestly, we believe they can do it.
Plans and Results
The Smart City program was launched in 2013. According to key ideas, Dubai integrates innovative technologies and approaches into all spheres of daily life as well as the company Diceus, including governmental services, business, transportation, leisure, and so on. There are four strategic pillars that form the entire concept:
- Efficient: use available resources in the most optimized ways.
- Personalized: deliver unique opportunities for each citizen.
- Safe: protect people and data with top-notch tech.
- Seamless: integrate services and products.
As a result, developers change and modernize all major aspects of the city, for example, customer experience boosted with paperless interaction or infrastructure with sustainable and clean energy. Generally, this all should increase the happiness of people and reduce various expenses simultaneously.
Strategic Goals for 2024
Moving to exact initiatives, Dubai plans to complete six strategies in the next two years. There are some results related to all approaches already, though. Let’s now take a look at the objectives in six essential city dimensions:
1. Accessible City. Provides for simple and, mostly, digital access to various services for guests and residents. Integrates into the culture, education, healthcare, and social spheres. Also stands for the perfectly-inclusive environment.
2. Competitive City. Drives Dubai’s economy to make it engaging, efficient, and innovative. Covers principles of reuse and sharing of resources, productive work ecosystems, and transparent data.
3. Digital City. Delivers paperless and cashless governmental services that eliminate the need for personal interaction. Connects people with government directly. Introduces both traditional digital approaches and innovations like blockchain.
4. Green City. Ensures visitors and citizens in the quality of natural resources. Reduces Dubai’s footprint to develop a clean and healthy environment. Boosts efficient usage of resources with elaborate consumption and recycling.
5. Mobile City. Utilizes autonomous cars and other vehicles to increase the transportation network’s productivity and reduce traffic. Integrates public and shared transport. Powers the system with modern solutions.
6. Resilient City. Stands for collaborative planning of the emerging smart city on all levels from a person to the Emirate. Engages all residents and guests to participate in the development to make the most universal place.
Finished Projects
So, what about the completed ideas? Dubai’s government released several crucial applications and services, for instance:
- DubaiNow. The app provides 55+ services for both tourists and residents. With it, you can get access to bills, find a taxi or the nearest metro station, check the weather, apply for a visa, and more just in one click.
- Happiness Meter. One of the first products designed to collect the residents’ feedback. This platform allows people to share their level of happiness and specify which things in Dubai must be upgraded.
- Rashid App. One of a few smart city assistants is located in Dubai. Powered with AI, Rashid answers various questions and delivers advice on various topics. The highest focus is on the interaction with the government.
- Smart Employee and Dubai Careers. Two solutions connect private and governmental companies with employees. Apps provide for seamless interaction between different parties to simplify and speed up hiring processes.
- UAE PASS. The one and only digital identity for the UAE residents that grants access to governmental services. Soon, the app will support signatures and, respectively, money transfers and transactions of ownership.
Moreover, the Emirate actively works on other initiatives in different spheres. Since June 2019, all tourists can get a free prepaid SIM card upon entering Dubai. A bit earlier, the local Land Department signed a strategic memorandum that provides for use of blockchain in real estate. Also, this year changed the drivers’ experience as all the yard tests became automated. As you can see, Dubai completes goals pretty consistently.
The Most Mind-Blowing Technologies
Now, prepare for more spectacular stuff. Surely, we understand that elaborate infrastructure, accessible public services, and handy apps are great. They act as the basis for the entire smart city ecosystem. But Dubai moves further with its projects of the future.
Air Taxi
Probably, you heard about this one. The project called Volocopter is a small fully-electric vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing. It can carry two passengers for a distance of 27 kilometers. These next-gen cars will act as taxis in Dubai soon, according to CNN. Vehicles are already tested so prepare for something new!
Hyperloop to Abu Dhabi
Yeah, it’s about the greatest Mask’s idea of high-speed bullet trains. The first commercial project will connect Dubai and Abu Dhabi with 150-km kind of road that will be located above and under the surface. It’s planned that Hyperloop will allow passengers to travel between points in 12 minutes. Engineers promise to build the first section by 2024.
Jetpacks for Firefighters
Back in 2017, Dubai’s firefighters received these futuristic devices called Dolphins. Water-powered jetpacks lift owners using powerful streams and letting people reach arduous places like skyscrapers’ walls or bridges. Jetpacks save precious time because firefighters can avoid traffic and access the spot quicker.
Mars Science City
The UAE plans to colonize Mars by 2117 so it also works on special training and research centers. Dubai is currently planning the local Mars Science City to be located near Al Khawaneej. Representatives say that 3D printed system will occupy almost 200 thousand square meters and feature accurate Mars-like conditions for researches.
Mega Solar Park
Following the idea of green energy, Dubai works on the largest single-site solar system, potentially. The first and second phases are live already with the combined power of 213M megawatts. The third and fourth ones are under development; they will produce 1,750 more megawatts. In total, the system will feature 5,000 megawatts by 2030.
Robots, Flyers, and Smart Cars for Police
Together with jetpacks, the local emergency services received the first-ever robot-policeman. Though unarmed, it can recognize criminals using cameras and police databases, check vehicles’ numbers and even interact with people who want to report a crime.
One year later, Dubai Police introduced another innovation. Officers are now taught to use flying bikes. Similarly to jetpacks, they help to reach various difficult areas and get rid of traffic problems. Both projects are now in the testing phase.
Also, in 2018, the department revealed the first autonomous vehicle with smart stations. Finally, in 2019, the government released another initiative. According to it, thousands of police cars will get smart patrol systems based on AI.
Smart Cities Around the Globe
There are dozens of innovative ecosystems in the world. Filled with neon and technology Tokyo, full of skyscrapers and businessmen New York, tech hubs of Silicon Valley, etc. However, Dubai features one of the most elaborate and complex strategies that involve all levels of participants. What’s more important, there are real results. By 2024, we can see the smartest and the happiest city here. Probably.
