According to Aletihad, Abu Dhabi has made significant strides in global connectivity, innovation, economic vitality, and digital advancement, propelling it to the 10th position among global smart cities and the top spot in the region for the year 2024.
In the Smart City Index 2024 conducted by Switzerland’s Institute for Management Development (IMD), Abu Dhabi notably climbed from its 13th position in the previous year’s rankings. Concurrently, Dubai saw an improvement in its ranking, securing the 12th position. The top 5 cities on the list of 142 surveyed cities include Zurich, Oslo, Canberra, Geneva, and Singapore.
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Highlighted by Aletihad, the UAE has been a leading light in the ease-of-living and ease-of-business indicators post-pandemic, and its cities have been modeled for a digitally diverse future by the visionary leadership that is driving the traditional oil economy to benefit from tourism, space, technology, and AI among others, while building on the gains of its mature real estate, trade, and logistics sectors.
Highlighted by the Index, with this remarkable performance, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have joined the ranks of what the Index calls “super champions”. So what makes them champions? “With very few exceptions, cities in the top 20 are geographically located in areas where social and economic environments are relatively predictable, even against the overall climate of global uncertainties,” said the report. (Source: Aletihad)
Reported by Aletihad, residents’ perspectives on structures and technology applications were considered, and the final score for each city was computed using the perceptions gathered over the last three years of the survey.
According to the report’s findings, both Abu Dhabi and Dubai received high rankings for safety, with Abu Dhabi scoring 87.4% and Dubai scoring 88.5%. Abu Dhabi’s cultural and leisure offerings were well-received, earning a score of 88.7%, while its public transport system garnered a commendable 83.8%. The city’s green spaces, including parks and mangroves, received a score of 84.7%, and its healthcare services were rated at 86.3%. The UAE’s tolerance model was widely praised, with Abu Dhabi receiving a high score of 81% among minority groups. In Dubai, health services impressed with a score of 82.2%, while public transport received a rating of 79.7%.
As per Aletihad‘s report, cities that have undertaken visible initiatives to enhance citizens’ quality of life, such as developing public transportation networks or eco-friendly modes of transportation, have been highlighted. The report identifies “super champion” cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which have prioritized the development of green spaces, talent attraction, and expansion of social and cultural activities, all while preserving their traditions and culture.
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Additionally, other noteworthy smart cities in the region include Riyadh (25), Makkah (52), and Jeddah (55) in Saudi Arabia. Qatar’s Doha followed closely in 59th place, with Muscat securing the 88th spot on the list.
Bruno Lanvin, President of the Smart City Observatory, part of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, commented on the report, emphasizing the necessity for cities to design and adopt strategies capable of withstanding the uncertainties of an increasingly unpredictable future.
According to Lanvin, trust and effective governance are pivotal in the development of smart cities, and he emphasized the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to enable urban centers to become more focused on human needs.
The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), headquartered in Seoul, collaborated with IMD in producing the report.
Abu Dhabi is actively progressing towards the integration of smart services across both government and private sectors. Transactions are increasingly conducted via smartphones, and various segments of the economy are enthusiastically embracing digitalization. The emirate is also pioneering trials of autonomous transportation systems, including autonomous cabs and flying taxis. Furthermore, it is forging partnerships with cities like Singapore to drive its smart transformation, positioning itself as a hub that transcends present boundaries. It is a place where the future is taking shape.
Source: https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4478066/abu-dhabi-is-the-region-s-smartest-city–report
