How data will help create smart cities

dubai — When it comes to the new age digital revolution, the one certainty that experts agree upon is that it has the power to impact each and every sector.

Speaking at the ‘Urban Thinkers Campus’, Sultan Butti bin Mejren, director-general of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), spoke about the impact that the large amounts of data generated today will have in creating smart cities of the future. Held by the DLD, through its educational arm — the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) — the event brought together several international and regional experts.

“We have witnessed a dramatic increase in the spread of digital technologies and services, which has radically changed our activities across all sectors, including education, healthcare, society, the economy and, of course, real estate,” he said. “This revolution has produced huge amounts of data and introduced new terms such as the Internet of Things, which have strongly penetrated information and communications technology. This will certainly have a profound impact on cultural development and the way we live in smart and sustainable cities.”

Several experts at the event also discussed the future of sustainable development goals, as well as other important topics including real estate investment innovation, entrepreneurship and crowd-funding opportunities. They also considered wellness and happiness as top priority human needs and discussed how to create unique living experiences by designing smart and sustainable communities.

— rohma@khaleejtimes.com