Smart Cities – the interconnected urban destinations where technology underpins improved living and working standards for all – is today’s urban planning paradigm and the Arabian Gulf, where nations are looking to the concept to improve public and private sector efficiency, enable economic benefits and improve citizens’ lives, is in the vanguard of driving adoption forward.
There is an increased emphasis globally to rethink city planning and streamline key functions such as healthcare, transport systems and education. According to figures published by the United Nations, cities will house more than 2.5 billion people by 2050, making inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities a global priority. Throughout the region, national visions have smart cities incorporated into development plans. Oman, with its Vision 2040, is the latest to join the smart development drive already actively pursued in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.