GCC's Urban Revolution: Transforming Deserts into Smart Cities
NEOM: “The Line” Saudi Arabia’s Futuristic Mega-City
One of the most ambitious projects in the Middle East is NEOM in Saudi Arabia, a $500 billion mega-city designed to be a global hub for innovation and technology. Launched by 2017 by Mohamed Bin Salman and situated in the northwest of the country, NEOM aim to redefine urban living through its integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics across various sectors.
NEOM's design includes the construction of "The Line," a 170-kilometer linear city with no cars, streets, or carbon emissions. This approach to urban planning promotes walkability, seamless connectivity through high-speed transit, and the integration of nature within urban spaces. NEOM's vision emphasizes sustainability by aspiring to be powered entirely by clean energy sources. Furthermore through its urban agriculture initiative it aims to provide food security to its inhabitants. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of economic diversification under the Vision 2030 plan.
Masdar City: UAE’s Beacon of Sustainability
Masdar City, located near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is another pioneering example of smart city development. Launched in 2008, Masdar City is one of the world's most sustainable urban communities, powered entirely by renewable energy. It serves as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the regional HQ for Siemens.
The city's design incorporates energy-efficient buildings, sustainable materials, and practices such as passive cooling and green roofs. Masdar City utilizes solar energy extensively, with one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East, and a solar thermal cooling plant. The city’s transportation network features electric and autonomous vehicles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Masdar City not only showcases eco-friendly urban development but also serves as a living laboratory for innovative technologies and sustainable practices. It aims to reduce its ecological footprint while providing high standards of living, making it a blueprint for future sustainable cities globally.
Lusail City: Qatar’s vision of modern urbanism
Lusail City in Qatar represents another stride in the GCC's smart city initiatives. As a host city for one of the stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lusail City has been in the international spotlight. This large-scale development integrates advanced infrastructure with modern urban planning to create a vibrant, high-tech urban environment. Lusail City includes a light rail network, an underground pedestrian system, and a district cooling system, all designed to enhance connectivity and reduce energy consumption.
Lusail City’s smart infrastructure includes advanced waste management systems, smart grids for electricity distribution, and extensive use of IoT for city management and services.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Building smart cities in the desert comes with unique challenges, including extreme temperatures, water scarcity, and the need for sustainable resource management. GCC countries are making significant efforts to pioneer this advancement through innovative solutions such as desalination plants powered by renewable energy, advanced cooling technologies, and sustainable urban designs that minimize environmental impact.
The success of these smart city projects in the GCC region will depend on continuous investment in technology, infrastructure, and human capital. Collaboration with global partners and the adoption of best practices from around the world will be crucial.
Countries facing desertification and rising temperatures will have to follow the same path and develop innovative city designs to mitigate and adapt to climate disruptions. The ambitious models being developed by GCC countries should serve as a blueprint for these efforts worldwide. Other nations can learn from these pioneering strategies to create sustainable and resilient urban environments.
Sources :
https://masdar.ae/en/renewables/green-hydrogen
https://masdar.ae/en/renewables/our-projects/masdar-city-solar-photovoltaic-plant
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordontour/25137880702 \
https://www.neom.com/en-us/our-business/sectors/water/infrastructure/resource-recovery
https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/
