• The event hosts Saudi Infrastructure Summit bringing together high-level speakers from public and private sector entities
  • ROSHN, a PIF-owned giga project signs strategic agreement with RIPC on the opening day
  • Days 2 and 3 of the event set to host Global Water Summit and Smart Cities Saudi Summit
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 25 September 2024:

His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of the Board of Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre (RIPC) inaugurated Saudi Infrastructure Expo, co-located with Global Water Expo and the inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo, taking place until 26 September at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC).

Eng. Fahad Al Badah, CEO of RIPC; Matt Denton, President, dmg events; and Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President - Construction, dmg events, also joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

During his opening speech at Saudi Infrastructure Summit, His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf emphasized on the event’s role in supporting the growth of the sector. He said: "At the heart of improving the quality of life in cities lies the development and enhancement of infrastructure, which directly drives the growth of cities, and the success of all mega projects and initiatives depends on having the right infrastructure to support them. In this context, the Saudi Infrastructure Summit strengthens efforts and cooperation in city development and sustainable growth by facilitating the exchange of expertise with those who have successfully navigated infrastructure challenges."

For his part, Eng. Fahad Al Badah noted: "The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre works to unify efforts and harness capabilities to reach the highest levels and standards in infrastructure projects. Through the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and the exhibition, we showcase best practices and innovative solutions, as well as exchange experiences and expertise in this vital sector, which plays an essential role in shaping the growth of the national economy."

Saudi Infrastructure Summit calls for resilience in infrastructure

Running alongside Saudi Infrastructure Expo, the summit was a high-level gathering of government leaders, infrastructure experts and policymakers focused on delivering the ambitious Vision 2030 and catalyzing a transformational shift in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure landscape.

On one of the panel discussions highlighted the integration of sustainability measures into infrastructure projects to ensure long-term resilience featuring Amr Salah, CEO, Infrastructure & Utilities, Ajlan & Bros Holding; Robert Garner, Director – Infrastructure, Red Sea Global; Mohammed Ghanem Alsagoor, General Manager of Integrated Assets, RIPC; and Wakkas Ismail, Associate Director Strategy, Investment and Partnerships, SAJCO, and moderated by Johanna Staples, Regional Director Strategy and Advisory, AtkinsRéalis. The speakers collectively advocated for viewing infrastructure as a program rather than a single project, as it serves to connect multiple projects. Successful infrastructure requires effective coordination and integration.

One of the other key aspects of infrastructure development is the expansion of the road network. Commenting on the implementation of technology in such projects, Eng. Awad Alqahtany, General Manager of Road Quality Improvement Program, Operation & Maintenance Agency, Riyadh Region Municipality said: "Riyadh Region Municipality has digital scanning technologies for roads and their quality; contributing to improve the safe transportation experience in a prosperous and sustainable Riyadh."

Seven strategic MoUs drive business collaborations

At the Saudi Infrastructure Summit, the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center (RIPC) strengthened its collaborative efforts by formalizing key partnerships through the signing of seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements were made with prominent government entities and Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned giga projects, marking a significant step towards enhancing infrastructure development across the Kingdom.

The organizations involved include the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), Expenditure Efficiency & Projects Authority (EXPRO), the National Center for Meteorology, the Saudi Accreditation Center, National Housing Company (NHC) and ROSHN.

Commenting on Day 1 of the event, Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President – Construction at dmg events said: “Day 1 of the Saudi Infrastructure Expo has been remarkable, with the bustling aisles filled with industry professionals and decision-makers engaging in meaningful conversations. The enthusiasm and activity, reflected the critical importance of these interactions, as they paved the way for collaboration, innovation and the development of sustainable infrastructure solutions that will shape the infrastructure industry.”

"On days 2 and 3, we will welcome experts from the water and smart cities sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges in these projects. Exhibitors at the Global Water Expo and Smart Cities Saudi Expo, co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Expo, will transform the event into a hub of live demonstrations, product launches and new partnerships," concluded Kazi.

The events are free to attend for trade and industry professionals. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted. To register, visit: www.saudiinfrastructureexpo.com

  • Smart Cities Saudi Expo to be held from 24-26 September 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC)
  • The inaugural event to empower cognitive living in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions
  • Exhibitors from 25 different countries to showcase systems, solutions, products and services across seven dedicated product sectors
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 19 September 2024:

Next week marks the grand opening of Saudi Infrastructure Expo, co-located with Global Water Expo and the inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo, taking place from 24 – 26 September 2024 at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC). As doors open, Saudi Infrastructure Expo expects over 17,000 visitors, including PIF-led giga projects such as NEOM, ROSHN, Red Sea Global, Diriyah Company and Qiddiya, who have all registered to attend.

Here are the top unmissable highlights from the event:

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony will be held under the patronage of His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of the Board of Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre (RIPC).

Strong government support

The event is strongly backed by renowned government entities, including the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre (RIPC), the Ministry of Energy’s Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), INVEST Saudi, Riyadh Region Municipality, the Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR) and the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

“The robust support from esteemed government entities highlights the event’s role in facilitating key partnerships that contribute to the growth of the infrastructure sector, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals,” said Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events.

World’s biggest water brands

Some of the world’s biggest water solution providers, such as Xylem, Veolia, Wilo, ABB, Toray, Wetico and GI AquaTech will convene at Global Water Expo, showcasing a range of products across water management and recycling, water extraction and treatment, drainage and sewage and environmental protection.

Smart city technologies

Empowering cognitive living in the Kingdom, Smart Cities Saudi Expo will play an important role in advancing the Kingdom’s journey towards intelligent smart city development amidst the urbanization wave. The event features smart city leaders such as Meter, a digital platform providing surveying solutions; Odoo Middle East, a provider of open-source business software; Communication Solutions Company (CSC), a civil works expert for telecommunication and networking field services; Aveva, and Tata Communications, a telecommunications giant powering hyperconnected ecosystems.

Thought leadership at summits

Saudi Infrastructure Expo, alongside Global Water Expo and the inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo, will host three invite-only strategic summits with strong government attendance and representation. Saudi Infrastructure Summit will drive the Kingdom’s infrastructure transformation forward, Global Water Summit will shape resilient water systems for a sustainable future and Smart Cities Saudi Summit will empower urban innovation to create a sustainable future.

Ministerial panel on infrastructure

Highlighting the collaborative infrastructure initiatives for Saudi Arabia to shape the industry’s future, Saudi Infrastructure Summit will host a high-level ministerial panel featuring H.E. Eng. Mansour Hilal Al Mushaiti, Vice Minister, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture; H.E. Eng. Khalid M. Al-Salem, President, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu; Eng. Thamer Al-Saadoun, CEO, National Transformation Program; Eng. Fahad Suliman Albadah, CEO, Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center; and Abdulmajid Al Rashoudi, Secretary General, Saudi Contractors Authority.

Infra 360, Water 360 and Smart Cities 360

Three free-to-attend comprehensive talks programs providing practical insights through case studies across all three days of the events will bring speakers from ACWA Power, Parsons, Innovyze Autodesk, Misk City, Egis and Al Yamama Group of Companies, among others.

“As anticipation builds, we are pleased to welcome visitors and exhibitors, with international presence expanding this year to include 12 country pavilions from Egypt, China, UAE, Qatar, Italy, Türkiye, Germany, and India. While international participation paves the way for new collaborations, the event’s MoU signing zone is set to be a hub of multi-million-dollar partnerships, driving substantial business growth,” concluded Kazi.

The events are free to attend for trade and industry professionals. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted. To register, visit: www.saudiinfrastructureexpo.com

  • Smart Cities Saudi Expo to be held from 24-26 September 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC)
  • The inaugural event to empower cognitive living in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions
  • Exhibitors from 25 different countries to showcase systems, solutions, products and services across seven dedicated product sectors
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29 May 2024 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Smart cities have become an essential part of Saudi Arabia's governmental priorities, reflecting the Kingdom's dedication to leveraging technology for sustainable urban growth. As part of the nation’s strategic vision for digital transformation and urban development, Smart Cities Saudi Expo is set to take place from 24-26 September 2024, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC).

With over 85% of Saudi Arabia’s population residing in urban areas, the need for smarter, more sustainable and technologically enabled cities has grown rapidly, resulting in significant shifts in demographics, infrastructure demands and urban planning strategies. Smart Cities Saudi Expo will play an important role in advancing the Kingdom’s journey towards intelligent smart city development. It will create avenues for business engagements and facilitate networking with those at the cutting-edge of smart city delivery in the Kingdom and beyond.

“The inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo will empower cognitive living in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions tailored for cognitive environments,” said Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President, dmg events. “With a growing demand for urban living in the Kingdom, the event aligns with the nation's commitment to advancing smart city initiatives and propelling urban transformation with the seamless integration of human, robotic and citizen solutions.”

The integration of digital solutions into infrastructure development is vital for building smart cities, with smart infrastructure encompassing intelligent transportation systems, energy-efficient buildings, smart grids and sustainable waste management. These advancements improve resource management, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. At Smart Cities Saudi Expo, local and international exhibitors from 25 countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, India, Poland, Saudi Arabia, UAE and more, will showcase products and services supporting the Kingdom’s smart city ambition.

Saudi Arabia-based Meter, which is a digital platform and application providing innovative surveying and engineering solutions through modern technologies and artificial intelligence, has joined the event as the Silver Sponsor.

Participating exhibitors will showcase systems, solutions, products and services under seven dedicated product sectors such as digital economy, urban mobility & transport, smart building & infrastructure, smart governance, IT & telecoms, sustainability & environment and safety & security. Shaker Consultancy, one of the largest specialized consultancy and engineering firms in the region; Odoo Middle East, leading provider of open-source business software; Communication Solutions Company (CSC), a civil works provider for telecommunication and networking field services; Aveva, a company specializing in industrial software; and Smart Citizens, a smart home automation solutions provider, are some of the prominent names exhibiting at the event.

The event will spotlight intelligent traffic management; public transportation systems; electric and autonomous vehicles; smart parking solutions; building automation systems; smart lighting and energy management; building security and access control; video surveillance and analytics; emergency response systems; public safety sensors and alarms; e-government services; citizen engagement platforms; open data initiatives; as well as digital identity and authentication, among others.

Saudi Arabia's vision for future cities is taking shape through several mega and gigaprojects such as NEOM, spearheaded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that is making significant advancements with the integration of AI, robotics and human intelligence to develop cutting-edge, digitally sustainable and cognitive cities. “This progress has positioned the Kingdom as a hub for smart city innovations and technologies, further strengthening the need for Smart Cities Saudi Expo to empower cognitive living,” added Kazi.

The new event is strategically timed amidst Riyadh's substantial urban transformation under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, prioritizing the development of smart, sustainable cities to enhance quality of life and improve infrastructure.

Smart Cities Saudi Expo will promote thought leadership at the inaugural Smart Cities Summit, showcasing prominent leaders from the government, private sector and municipalities. The summit will also host contractors, developers, project owners, consultancies, master planning experts, urban planners and architects, among other stakeholders, providing valuable insights into emerging trends, disruptive technologies and successful case studies on the transformation of urban living.

Smart Cities Saudi Expo is free-to-attend for trade and industry professionals. Visitors under age 18 will not be permitted. For more information visit: www.smartcitiessaudiexpo.com

About Smart Cities Saudi Expo

Smart Cities Saudi Expo, an event empowering cognitive living in Saudi Arabia, marks its first edition, running from 24-26 September 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC).

Co-located with Saudi Infrastructure Expo and Global Water Expo, the event showcases systems, solutions, products and services under seven dedicated product sectors such as digital economy, urban mobility & transport, smart building & infrastructure, smart governance, IT & telecoms, sustainability & environment and safety & security.

To know more about the event, visit: www.smartcitiessaudiexpo.com

About dmg events

dmg events is a leading organizer of face-to-face events and publisher of trade magazines and information services. Our aim is to create dynamic marketplaces to connect businesses with the right communities to accelerate their growth in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

With a presence in over 30+ countries and organizing more than 100+ events each year, dmg events is a global leader in the industry. Attracting over 425,000 attendees and delegates annually, we organize events in the construction, hospitality, food & beverages, interiors & design, energy, coatings, entertainment and transportation sectors.

To better serve our customers, dmg events has offices in 10 countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, South Africa, the UK, Canada, and Singapore. By being on the ground, we can better understand market needs and nurture relationships to create unforgettable experiences for our attendees.

Our flagship events include Big 5 Global, The Hotel Show, INDEX, ADIPEC and Gastech. For more information visit www.dmgevents.com.  Founded in 1989, dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.co.uk).

TOKYO: Tokyo-based Uhuru Corp. has signed an agreement with Web Arabia, a technology company operating in Riyadh, to promote smart city-related business in the Kingdom.

Web Arabia specializes in smart-city solutions and is a subsidiary of Metscco Heavy Steel Industries, a leading general-engineering company responsible for infrastructure construction in Saudi Arabia.

The company plans to use Uhuru’s strengths to enhance convenience and safety for religious tourism, including the Hajj, as well as urban infrastructure such as buildings, stadiums and airports.

Uhuru has been developing various projects in the Kingdom, including research and development programs in collaboration with local organizations.

Saudi Arabia recorded 27.4 million foreign visitors in 2023.

Source: Arab News

The initiative also sees Cisco’s state-of-the-art technologies to help empower ROSHN’s upcoming Innovation Hub.

The cooperation with Cisco will boost ROSHN’s competitive edge as a regional leader in real estate.

RIYADH: ROSHN Group, the PIF-owned giga-project and Saudi Arabia’s most trusted real estate developer, has signed a collaboration framework with Cisco that seeks further innovation in areas such as designing and building future-proof, sustainable smart buildings.

The MoU with Cisco focuses on the potential collaboration between both companies to explore the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology in building future-proof, sustainable, and smart buildings. The initiative will see Cisco’s state-of-the-art technologies deployed to help empower ROSHN’s upcoming Innovation Hub.

“Technology underpins everything we do at ROSHN, and this agreement with Cisco will help us leverage exciting concepts such as IoT for new innovations in areas such as energy efficiency and smart building management. The goal is to use technology for the benefit of our residents and communities throughout the Kingdom,” said Jayesh Maganlal, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer, ROSHN Group.

Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia said: “Our collaboration with ROSHN underscores Cisco's dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices for smart and connected communities in the Kingdom. The initiative aims to explore the use of state-of-the art technologies to digitally empower ROSHN and support the company to continue playing a major role in the growth of the kingdom’s real estate market”.

About ROSHN Group  

ROSHN Group is Saudi Arabia’s most trusted real estate developer and a giga-project wholly owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). ROSHN’s multi-asset portfolio of integrated developments offer a new way of living for Saudi Arabia, featuring connected amenities in walking distance with green spaces, sports hubs, and cycle lanes. Driven by technology, innovation, and sustainability, ROSHN Group is building at an unprecedented scale across Saudi Arabia with a current land bank of over 200 million sqm. By 2030, ROSHN will develop over 400,000 homes, as well as 1,000 kindergartens and schools, and over 700 mosques.

ROSHN launched SEDRA, its flagship 35 million sqm community in Riyadh, in 2021, delivering homes in its first Phase ahead of schedule and becoming the Kingdom’s first giga-project to deliver to customers. The Group has since launched the 4 million sqm ALAROUS community in Jeddah and has announced further integrated developments: WAREFA in Riyadh (1.4 million sqm); ALFULWA in Al Ahsa (10.8 million sqm); and, most recently the Kingdom’s first canal project MARAFY, a mixed-use development in northern Jeddah bringing the Red Sea into the city. With over 300 square kilometers of waterfront promenade, covering a total area of more than 2 million square meters, MARAFY will feature more than 52,000 residential units with a population capacity of over 130,000 people.

As a national champion across a range of sectors, ROSHN takes a people-centric approach to building sustainably with an ethos of promoting ‘living beyond walls’ and enhancing quality of life across the Kingdom. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, ROSHN pursues corporate excellence and partners with the best-in-class to set new standards in mainstream development, earning it the title of the best developer in the GCC by Construction Week Middle East’s Top 50 GCC Developers 2023 list.

For more information on ROSHN’s new way of living visit roshn.sa

Source: Zawya

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.

  • Smart Cities Saudi Expo to be co-hosted with infrastructure expo supporting advancement in urban and smart city development
  • Saudi Arabia’s vision for cities of the future is materializing as NEOM, a giga project led by the Public Investment Fund

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, as the fastest growing G20 economy according to the IMF, is experiencing a rapid surge in urban population, with about 85 percent of its population living in metropolitan areas.
The infrastructure ecosystem in the Kingdom is rapidly evolving with the increasing population. The launch of the Smart Cities Saudi Expo, co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Expo and the Global Water Expo next year, complements the Kingdom’s advancement in urban and smart city development.
The Smart Cities expo, held from Sept. 24-26, 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center and organized by dmg events, a trade exhibition and event organizer in the Kingdom, will empower “cognitive living” in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions.
Muhammed Kazi, vice president — construction at dmg events, told Arab News: “The launch of Smart Cities Saudi Expo supports the Kingdom’s ongoing development of large-scale projects to accommodate its rapidly growing urban population in line with Vision 2030.”
“Co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Expo and Global Water Expo, which actively support the ever-evolving infrastructure landscape in the Kingdom, the Smart Cities Saudi Expo will provide international companies with the opportunity to enter the Saudi market and showcase innovative smart city technologies and solutions. Together, the three events will bring the entire infrastructure value-chain under one roof, fostering business interactions and promoting networking opportunities.”
Saudi Arabia’s vision for cities of the future is materializing as NEOM, a giga project led by the Public Investment Fund.
To create cutting-edge, digitally sustainable and cognitive cities, NEOM integrates AI, robotics and human intelligence.
“This remarkable progress has turned the Kingdom into a hub for smart city innovations and technologies, setting the stage for the inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo,” Kazi said.
The event will include intelligent traffic management; public transportation systems; electric and autonomous vehicles; smart parking solutions; building automation systems; smart lighting and energy management; building security and access control; video surveillance and analytics; emergency response systems; public safety sensors and alarms; e-government services; citizen engagement platforms; open data initiatives; as well as digital identity and authentication.
The Smart Cities Saudi Expo will also feature the inaugural Smart Cities Summit, which will be headlined by key figures from the government and municipality.
Also present will be contractors, developers, project owners, consultancies, master planning experts, urban planners and architects.
“The introduction of the Smart Cities Summit is a timely response to the evolving needs of Saudi Arabia’s urban landscape. The summit will unlock opportunities and foster collaborations that accelerate the development of smart cities across the Kingdom,” Kazi said.
As the Smart Cities expo gears up for its launch in 2024, it builds on the successful second Saudi Infrastructure Expo and the inaugural Global Water Expo. The events were held under the patronage of Majid Abdullah Al-Hogail, minister of municipal and rural affairs and housing.
Attracting more than 15,000 visitors from the Kingdom’s infrastructure landscape, the event featured more than 275 local and international exhibitors from 26 countries.

Source: Arab News

You have landed in Riyadh in the future; it’s your first visit. As you make your way to the nearby e-sports gaming arena, a sense of anticipation and excitement permeates the air. During your journey, you can see the landscape is adorned with smart lights, and express drones efficiently deliver food and other goods across the city. The streets are teeming with lightweight, e-powered, and autonomous vehicles, easing congestion. Moving around is seamless and enjoyable. When it comes time to settle the cab fare, you can do so with facial recognition technology — no card or phone is needed.

As you take your seat in the arena, a personalized experience awaits you, tailored to your preferences. Your name, preferred temperature, and meal are already prepared and waiting. The match begins right on time.

Welcome to the smart city of tomorrow.

Saudi Arabia stands at the forefront of some of today’s most ambitious residential, entertainment, and business developments, leading to an expected infrastructure spend of a trillion dollars according to Construction Week Middle East.

At the core of these projects lies an expectation for technology providers and governments to collaborate, aiming to build cities of the future that positively impact residents.

The key to unlocking Riyadh’s smart city future is IoT – the Internet of Things. This term, associated with the advent of the smart home, smart community, and smart city, has been around for some time. IoT technologies act as a 24/7 layer that adds to a city’s texture, revolutionizing every vertical of life. This spans from residential hubs to hospitality and everything in between, encompassing business, entertainment, food, retail, accessibility, mobility, education, culture, health, and wellbeing.

It’s projected that there will be 30 billion IoT-connected devices globally by 2030, which means the way residents and visitors live, work, and play in the city will transform completely. This projection equates to around three to four IoT devices per citizen — and our analysis indicates that Saudi residents are likely to go above this average.

The likes of the International Telecommunication Union, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Monetary Fund agree that a smart city can be defined as one that deploys cutting-edge digital technologies to connect, protect, and enhance the lives of its residents. By this definition, Riyadh is already well on its way to becoming a leader, driven by its robust smart city strategy, which is in line with Vision 2030 objectives. A few key examples include Qiddiya’s future-forward entertainment venues and ROSHN’s smart residential developments that will use cutting-edge technology in the planning, construction, and end-user stages.

The shifting roles of the next society

Let’s imagine you are a resident in one of these future developments in Riyadh, and you are going about your day at some point in the next decade.

Envision airports where you never lay eyes on your luggage until it arrives at your home. Picture food trucks and restaurants that know about your allergies and dietary restrictions, catering to you without you having to tell them. Picture autonomous vehicles and public transport systems that transform the concept of travel, dramatically shortening distances, and connecting cultures at never-before-seen rates. Then imagine longevity medicine becoming a standard and staple of healthcare systems, shifting paradigms of working age, pensions, and demographics.

A ubiquitous digital layer will permeate every single interaction — from the home to the vehicle which may be an aerial autonomous vehicle at this stage, and from the workplace to the entertainment venues. Everything will be measured, calculated, estimated, and confidentially analyzed.

How the smart city will be truly alive

"The key to unlocking Riyadh’s smart city future is IoT – the Internet of Things. This term, associated with the advent of the smart home, smart community, and smart city, has been around for some time." - Jad Haddad

Our current framework of thinking sees IoT and related technologies as mere add-ons. In contrast, our hypothesis sees the ‘smart’ element of the smart city as a fully integrated component that doesn’t just enhance daily life but elevates it to unseen levels of ‘urban cognition’. This means that cities will be much more like living beings than ever before, able to ‘sense’ inputs from residents, and then provide outputs automatically and autonomously.

Take, for example, the very serious example of a transit accident between two autonomous vehicles in a future smart city. In this situation, ambulances and emergency services would be automatically dispatched, aided by technology that efficiently assesses and communicates the necessary medical treatments to minimize risk and injury. This streamlined process reduces the need for extensive mobilization while ensuring swift responses and improved health outcomes.

In terms of how we see daily life evolving, we envisage an IoT-based infrastructure being ubiquitous: all platforms interconnected and constantly but privately and securely talking to each other — ranging from personal handheld devices to transportation vehicles and buildings.

By offloading processing needs and requirements to the cloud and embracing edge computing-powered devices and infrastructure or even quantum, we can expect a profound transformation in our daily interactions across various domains such as banking, entertainment, advertising, and mobility. This paradigm shift will not only offload processing needs and requirements to the cloud but also empower devices to become as capable as the networks they are connected to. Additionally, the exponential growth in data transfer speed, upload, and download will revolutionize the way we consume media.

The ever-growing iterations and integrations of artificial intelligence will also transform the way we understand our cities. Picture an entire population study or implementation strategy being generated in seconds from just a few prompts, powered by smart city connectivity. We’ll know more about our cities, and the insights will be data-driven, and this will ultimately help to improve them.

Taking into consideration the economic impact of implementing IoT across virtually all layers of ordinary life is essential — as is ensuring that diversification goals and sustainability measures are considered and accomplished.

Citizens, companies, and governments alike will gain a degree of autonomy previously untapped in human history. With all the power and responsibility, it becomes of utmost importance to have partners equipped with operational know-how and expertise in future-proofing, implementation, and the phased roll-out of policies, regulations, and efforts.

Beyond the specific examples of how one type of technology might look in the future, we strongly believe that there is an overarching story being told at a higher level — one of change, prosperity, and innovation. In this narrative, the key players are not yet fully defined, and a race to build the true smart city of the next century is already being run.

While the picture of the future city is quickly becoming clearer, the exact shape smart cities take will evolve as the technologies do. One thing, however, is certain: Riyadh’s current emphasis on boosting its strong smart city ambitions today will help attract talent, business, and overall economic growth. And that is smart by anyone’s measure.

• Jad Haddad is head of digital at management consultancy Oliver Wyman in India, the Middle East, and Africa

Source: Arab News

ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading national real estate developer and PIF-funded giga-project, has received the British Standards Institution Kitemark for Smart Cities. ROSHN is the first company in the India, Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa region, among the first in the private sector globally, and one of the top 20 organizations around the world to achieve this prestigious international certification.

“At ROSHN, we are committed to setting new standards and raising the bar for the real estate sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region, in line with our commitment to enabling Saudi Vision 2030’s goals. Our achievement of the BSI Kitemark for Smart Cities is a significant achievement and testament to ROSHN’s leadership in this regard. This was a collective effort by the entire ROSHN team through their participation in multiple assessments, reflecting our company-wide commitment to ensuring our customers and their communities benefit from sustainable planning and development, new technologies, and an improved quality of life,” said David Grover, CEO of ROSHN Group.

“Building for the future while prioritizing sustainability, empowered by technology and innovation, is a priority at ROSHN, making smart city planning one of the most important enablers of sustainability. With this quality mark from BSI we demonstrate not just our success in integrating sustainability and smart community principals but also ensuring our corporate excellence as we drive change in the industry by setting new standards for sustainability in mainstream development,” said Waleed Alghamdi, director of sustainability at ROSHN Group.

The BSI Kitemark for Smart Cities incorporates two ISO standards, ISO 37101:2016 — Sustainable Development in Communities: Management System for Sustainable Development, and ISO 37106:2021 — Sustainable Cities and Communities: Guidance on Establishing Smart City Operating Models for Sustainable Communities. ROSHN has achieved the “Collaborative” mark by the BSI’s Smart City Maturity Model, reflecting its successful development of processes for delivering sustainable communities within a smart city operating model. Smart city technology is key to ROSHN’s development of its integrated communities and is used to foster a sustainable lifestyle across a range of domestic and community functions, including home security, irrigation, and intelligent transport solutions.

Samuel Thwaites, general manager Middle East and Africa at BSI, said: “The achievement of BSI’s Kitemark certification for smart cities and communities validates the maturity of ROSHN’s sustainable and smart strategy, designed to deliver benefits such as resilience, sustainability, comfort and responsible use of resources. Through a rigorous assessment, ROSHN has successfully demonstrated how collaborative methods are being used across functions and how data and integrated technologies are deployed to improve the services and the quality of life of its citizens.”

Andy Butterfield, global managing director, Built Environment at BSI, added: “On behalf of BSI, I would like to congratulate ROSHN on becoming the first organization within the India, Middle East and Africa region to achieve the Kitemark for smart and sustainable cities and communities. It is a testament to ROSHN’s commitment to driving progress on sustainability within the global built environment, which can help society to achieve a digitally enabled, safer and sustainable future for all of us. Achieving the first Kitemark in the region symbolizes the pioneering and industry-leading culture of ROSHN and the positive impact they are having, and sets the standard for others in the region to follow.”

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