GCC ministers plan to build Smart Cities

DAMMAM: The Gulf authorities intend to adopt the ‘Smart Cities’ plan as part of the new housing projects being implemented in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in line with the policy of rationalization in the region, according to a Gulf official.

Kuwait’s State Minister for Housing Affairs Yasser Abdul said adopting the Smart Cities plan within the new housing projects in the GCC countries is aimed at rationalyzing energy usage at large. “The issue will be discussed in the next Gulf ministerial meeting,” said the Kuwaiti minister.
He said the housing ministers in the GCC countries will exchange plans from other ministries such as the Planning Ministry for greater unification in program development.
“The plans will be considered within the framework of the regional structural plan, as well as each country’s vision for sustainable electricity use,” he said. The overall goals include saving energy, and using modern technology to overcome the existing problems in the health and transport services,” he observed.
Kamal bin Abdullah Al Hamad Secretary General of the Gulf Engineering Union said that the sustainable development of the Gulf communities can only be achieved only through the integration of three development elements: The economic, social and the environmental aspects.
Al-Hamad was speaking during the forum on “Smart Solutions for Future Cities” held last week, where he expressed his hope that the recommendations made there materialize into firm decisions that contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
“The recommendations can be translated into serious government work that will help foster the best and most optimal use of resources and the management of facilities to eliminate many shortcomings and flaws,” he said.
The main axis of the forum included topics such as smart and modern projects in health, information, communication technology, smart buildings and smart energy, as well as education and youth development, among others.
During the forum, the results of the Gulf Engineering Union award was announced. In the category of enterprises, first place was granted to the automated system of transport and buses of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, while the second award was granted to the renewable energies project in Kuwait.