HAMDAN DELIVERS THE FUTURE
The future is not just about technology, it is about the potential of the human being, innovative ideas and tolerance, said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
Addressing the audience at the World Government Summit via 3D hologram technology, Sheikh Hamdan’s statement on the seven shifts shaping future cities was seemingly delivered ‘from the future’.
Flanked by two giant screens, the hologram of Sheikh Hamdan laid out his vision for the future of the city. Using visual aids, infographics, futuristic videos and lifelike images, Sheikh Hamdan wished to put Dubai 10 years ahead of other cities in a manner that will sustainably tend to the needs of the continually booming world population.
The visual aids gave life to an idea of what cities of the future could look like. From vertical farms to selfdriving cars, and transparent solar panels to artificial intelligence-powered windows capturing and storing power, the future is focused on improving the quality of life of people, said Sheikh Hamdan.
However, apart from technological advancements, Dubai’s future communities are tolerant and relies on innovation and ideas. He said: “Dubai is a model of tolerance and coexistence, where over 220 different nationalities live in peace.”
According to Sheikh Hamdan, “seven major transformations will take place in the cities of the world and the objective of their review is to benefit from them in order to confront the transformations and changes”.
He added: “Cities are the foundation of global economic development and the convergence of cultures and ideas... Measuring the development of cities depends on the quality of life, and the journey towards the future provides us with passion and energy to achieve greater goals.”
He began his talk by saying “cities are the foundation of the future. They are the cradle of ideas and a source of capital. Countries are nothing but a bundle of cities”. He added: “The future is intimately related to the city of Dubai. Many of the world’s cities look at Dubai being a city of the future.”
He credited his father His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for building a metropolis “that is advanced compared to other countries”.
He said: “The future shall always become something we are interested in, it is a source of inspiration and the journey towards it is a continuous activity.”
The future shall always become something we are interested in, it is a source of inspiration.” Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid