How do we keep air clean, our carbon footprint low, the population healthy and the environment ‘green’? Queried E&T in their Quest for a ‘Smart’ City definition has exposed the damning evidence of energy and environmental dangers . . .
A rapidly growing global population means that we will need to exploit a space’s potential, whether it is taller sustainable buildings, innovative waste management, or better renewable processes. One of the biggest priorities when creating a smart city is to keep it eco-friendly and for us to work towards a cleaner, greener future. We need to look at sustainable buildings – according to interactive platform Urban Hub, about 250 million new housing units will be required before 2030 in the 12 most populated countries, which account for 61 per cent of the global population.
According to TechRepublic.com there are key technologies that make a smart city work.
Here are the top 6 :
- Smart Energy
- Smart Transportation
- Smart Data
- Mart Infrastructure
- Smart Mobility
- Smart IoT
In the meantime, in the light of the above and in the spirit as it were of the new Gulf countries cultural trends, steps are taken to provide affordable housing within the framework of the concept of Smart City.
Al Barayeh
Al-Barayeh, a smart city project in Kuwait won first rank in Gulf region as reported by the local media and KUNA back in February 2016. This smart city environmental project, designed by Kuwaiti engineer Faisal Al-Jehaim, won first rank in the best environmental project prize in the Gulf region. The prize was offered by the 19th Gulf Engineering Forum, organized by Kuwait Society for Engineers in Kuwait.
It works in decreasing energy consumption rates as well as using its alternatives, and works in fulfilling a high quality of life that cherishes sustainability elements, including the social and economic environment, he said.
This city will be ready to be inhabited in three years, to welcome a total of 85,000 people and will server all of their daily basic needs and means of transportation as it will reduce usage of cars, including a metro station. – KUNA.
Gulf Business published this article written by Robert Anderson on the latest news on Smart City development and it is reproduced here for the benefit of our membership and readers generally.
Kuwait reveals plans for smart, environmentally friendly city.
Kuwait has unveiled plans for what is claimed to be the first smart and environmentally friendly city in the Middle East.
South Saad Al-Abdullah city has been designed to accommodate 400,000 people over an area of 59 square kilometres with more than 30,000 housing units, according to state news agency KUNA.
The government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Land and Housing Corporation to conduct a feasibility analysis of the project and form a joint company with the Public Authority for Housing Welfare for design, construction and operation.
The new city will be 40km west of the centre of Kuwait and is estimated to cost $4bn, according to reports earlier this year.
It is described as including an internet network that will connect all of its inhabitants with public services.
Solar cells are also being considered to power the project and the overall design is described as avoiding ‘visual pollution’ by forcing inhabitants to use specific colours for buildings.
Restrictions on building design and construction materials may also be imposed.
Implementation is expected to begin in February 2017.
The Kuwaiti government plans to provide 120,000 housing units for citizens annually over the next decade, according to KUNA.
Other major projects include South Mutla, which will house 400,000 citizens with 30,000 housing units. Building of infrastructure and roads for the project is expected to cost KD 288m ($954.7m).
