Abu Dhabi leads the world’s cities with its distinguished infrastructure
We may feel great differences when thinking about comparing the cities of Abu Dhabi and Geneva, as one of them is surrounded by desert and coasts, and the other is surrounded by mountains and lakes, but in fact I see many common factors between them, perhaps the most important of which is the temperature rising faster than the global average in the two cities, and each of them’s dependence on Strong infrastructure is one of the main solutions in confronting climate problems and dealing with the impact of climate change on the lives of residents.
The vision of our rational government in Abu Dhabi is to maintain its position among the most advanced cities in the world, and to advance the emirate at the forefront of smart, safe and sustainable cities that are preferred for living, where citizens and residents are proud to call it their home, and here the importance of the role of infrastructure, which forms the cornerstone in translating this vision into reality, appears. Tangible, as good infrastructure improves people’s lives and strengthens the connections between them, in addition to its role in facilitating commercial movement that drives economic growth in a way that contributes to enhancing the quality of life and achieving the well-being of community members.
By looking at the elements of good infrastructure and analyzing their impact on our lives, we find that a well-designed public transportation system not only reduces travel time and congestion, but also reduces the amount of environmental pollution that we want to face, and here we see that Switzerland is characterized by a first-class public transportation system. It has been developed over many decades, and while Abu Dhabi is a more modern city in this field, it has been able to prove its ability to overcome obstacles to achieve development and transformation in its approach, as we have already begun working on expanding our pilot projects for innovative transportation solutions, which has enabled us to launch smart vehicle services. Self-driving vehicles, including taxis and rail rapid transit vehicles.
Abu Dhabi adopts the best practices and technologies that reduce environmental impact, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure resilience in the face of climate change challenges. As Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, I affirm the Department’s commitment to smart mobility as a means of achieving our vision of providing an integrated transportation network and distinguished transportation services. According to the highest standards of quality and efficiency for the residents of our emirate.
The United Arab Emirates was able to obtain seventh place in the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index, and is one of the countries with the most vehicle charging stations in the world, which prompts us to continue working on building an integrated system that brings together all means of transportation under one roof – whether it is buses that operate With electricity and hydrogen, self-driving taxis, or private vehicles – in addition to our focus on providing fast charging stations to ensure drivers are able to recharge their electric cars, at an affordable cost.
Today, Abu Dhabi ranks third among the world’s cities on the “Smart City Index” launched by the International Institute of Management, but we look forward to Abu Dhabi being the smartest city in the world.
A growing city
When I look forward to seeing Abu Dhabi, the smartest city in the world, I am not bragging here, although we are always proud of our achievements and what we have achieved in a time that is considered record-breaking when compared to other cities in the world, but here I speak with great ambition and confidence in the future confirmed by the amazing urban transformation that the emirate is witnessing today. This makes us expect that its population will double to reach 6 million people by the year 2040. 54% of the world’s population today lives in urban centers, which is accelerating growth in various parts of the world, as expectations indicate that this number will reach 66% by the year 2050, and this Rise means increased competition for ever-diminishing resources, as well as the need for efficient and sustainable service delivery.
This scale and pace of change requires a thoughtful approach to managing growth, and this is what we are doing in Abu Dhabi, where we are working to develop a clear blueprint to achieve growth in a sustainable way. Perhaps one of the main milestones in developing our plan is the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Center for Projects and Infrastructure, last year, to oversee… Capital projects throughout the emirate, and the Center is currently responsible for more than 600 projects, with a value of approximately 200 billion dirhams, in the areas of housing, education, tourism and natural resources, and includes building and improving parks, public places, pedestrian walkways, playgrounds and specialized bicycle paths, in addition to places of worship and community centers. Sports, shopping malls, and more innovations in transportation and mobility.
Sustainable growth
Our ambition to reach the smartest city certainly means a sustainable city, which we seek to achieve not only through the use of the most sustainable materials and smart technologies that reduce emissions, but also through sustainable urban design of landscapes and public spaces in a way that is able to reduce the impact of high temperatures.
Because we derive our civilization from our ancient heritage and heritage, we have benefited from the experience of our ancestors who understood well the importance of designing buildings to suit the high temperatures in the region, so they built what is known as “barajil” or wind towers as one of the most important cooling methods used in traditional Gulf architecture, as These towers capture cool air and direct it into the building, while at the same time expelling warm air, acting as natural air conditioners.
Architects around the world have been inspired by the shading system that extends along the facade of Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, from the designs of Arab mashrabiyas, which are screens that distribute sunlight and keep the buildings cool without blocking the light. This makes them more comfortable for their residents. It also means using… Less energy needed to cool it.
Good infrastructure is not limited to excellence in design only, but must be part of a comprehensive vision that embraces elements of technology and sustainability to redefine urban life, and Abu Dhabi is a pioneer in this regard, as it established Masdar City, when the concept of sustainable cities was still in its infancy. “Noor Abu Dhabi”, which is the largest solar energy station in the world, provides energy to 66,000 homes, in addition to operating the Barakah station, which is the first nuclear power station in the region, which will soon produce enough clean electricity to provide a quarter of the UAE’s needs. The entire United States.
Risk management
Good infrastructure must be financially and environmentally sustainable, coupled with sound risk management – especially financial risk – a delicate balancing act that requires careful planning, strong financial models, and adherence to standards of transparency and accountability.
Perhaps benefiting from partnerships between the public and private sectors is one of the keys to success in this field, as these partnerships are capable of mobilizing private sector investments, innovation, and efficiency, in addition to sharing risks and benefits. The international partnerships concluded by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to develop the infrastructure Energy infrastructure is a good example of this, as this strategy worked to mitigate financial risks, in addition to attracting large foreign investments, which contributed to enhancing economic growth and development.
In my opinion, infrastructure can be a powerful catalyst for positive change if we take the right approach, focus on its comprehensive benefits, ensure its sustainability, and manage its risks wisely, allowing us to build better, more livable cities towards a brighter future for all.
*Head of the Department of Municipalities and Transport
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