Dubai, Abu Dhabi continue to rank highest for quality of living

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

DUBAI: Mercer’s 21st annual Quality of Living survey reveals that Dubai continues to rank highest for quality of living across the Middle East, closely followed by Abu Dhabi. The cities have integrated aggressive targets to significantly use less energy, as well as facilitate the development of smart cities. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi top the list for quality living in the Middle East, Greece, Hungary and other four countries in Europe have also met their respective climate change targets. China has already reached the first climate change goal out of the four main ones. By 2050, 50 countries worldwide will be 100 per cent renewable, with Germany reaching 85 per cent already.

This information was shared in conjunction with the upcoming Future Cities Show, which will take place from 8th to 10th of April at the Dubai World Trade Center. The Future Cities Show is a global platform for leading companies and institutions involved in the development of advanced infrastructure from all over the world, as well as large investors, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers who contribute to shaping the future cities in terms of technology, environment, economics and other related fields.

“We are now witnessing significant investments in advanced technologies to establish smart cities not only in the UAE but the rest of the Middle East region and other parts of the world as well. Sustainable solutions to modern living are now high on their agenda, especially in light of alarming factors with immense consequences on humans,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, President – Future Cities Show.

It has been noted that 70 per cent of the carbon emissions in cities comes from the urban infrastructures built by the modern man, where 39 per cent of carbon emissions are from residential and commercial buildings, whereas 33 per cent of the emissions result from transportation – the passenger and freight traffic.

Cities as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are fuelling their infrastructures with technology to give birth to what is popularly called as ‘smart city’. It is believed that if sustainable technology is used in the development of buildings, which consume 50 per cent less energy, more than six million metric tons of carbon dioxide could be saved in a year for the buildings. This is estimated to be equal to more than a million cars moved off the roads each year.

“As we become more determined to build future cities with advanced solutions to lessen our carbon footprint, it is imperative that we bring our actions to the next level. We should continue to engage in meaningful dialogues to arrive at informed decisions and actions that will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the current and future generations,” Al Shezawi said.

The upcoming edition of the Future Cities Show will provide a global platform for investors, leaders, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to share their ideas and expertise on modern solutions that will help tackle climate change through development of smart cities.

Dubai is among the world’s top five cities when it comes to offering a positive experience for its residents through smart technology, according to the latest Smart Cities Index.

According to the report – which took into account the use of technology in mobility, healthcare, public safety and productivity - the top five cities are Singapore, London, New York, Dubai, Seoul and Barcelona.

“Smart cities is the future of the world, and in the last few years there has been significant technological advancements which has changed the face of most countries around the globe,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, the president of Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, which is organising the Smart Cities Show in April.

While smart cities will be the future, it is important that adopted smart solutions ensure sustainable growth of the country.

The UAE is already emerging as a global leader in sustainability, particularly with its preparation to host the most sustainable World Expo in 2020.

To continue this sustainable development, The Future Cities Show, which will be held in April will unite leaders from various industries to interact, discuss and showcase solutions for a smart sustainable future.

Dubai has its sights set firmly on technology and innovation, and is working towards transforming the emirate into a leading global Smart City. The emirate also aims at becoming a benchmark for innovation for smart cities looking towards global sustainability and competitiveness.

Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, introduced in the past, aims at turning the emirate into a 3D printing technology hub by 2030. Under the initiative, 25 per cent of Dubai’s buildings will be 3D printed over the next fifteen years.