Nov 5, 2023
What are smart cities?
Smart cities in Riyadh aim to utilize modern technology and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life, promote sustainability, and optimize the use of available resources. Smart cities rely on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide innovative solutions in various sectors, such as transportation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and education.
Riyadh Smart City Initiatives:
Since the beginning of 2022, Riyadh Region Municipality has announced the launch of eight initiatives as part of the Riyadh Smart City project, aimed at digital development to enhance the city's international competitiveness. This is in line with Riyadh's Vision 2030 for smart cities. Also, Riyadh has achieved the fourth global rank in the field of technology and its applications among 190 countries worldwide. These initiatives aim to develop a comprehensive modernization by deploying communication and information services and applying them within Saudi society, supporting the transition to a digital economy and a knowledge-based society in order to provide advanced and smart infrastructure in all fields, where services and appropriate content are efficiently and electronically available.
Riyadh Digital Transformation initiative:
This initiative refers to the efforts made by the private sector and the government to apply digital technology in various aspects of life in Riyadh. The aim of this initiative is to enhance the technological capabilities of the Riyadh Municipality, increase its efficiency and quality, and facilitate social, commercial, and governmental services through the use of digital technologies.
Aspects of digital transformation that can be mentioned include:
Riyadh E-Government Services: This refers to the conversion of government services into an electronic system with the aim of making them more accessible to citizens and residents of the city..
There are several initiatives and technological applications that help achieve this goal, including:
● E-Government: The Riyadh e-government provides online government services, allowing citizens and residents to easily complete transactions, such as ID renewal and work permits at any time.
● Smart Applications: The government provides various dedicated applications for government services, such as electronic payment applications and direct communication applications with government entities.
● E-gates: These gates serve as a central interface for accessing government information and services, making it easier for citizens to find the desired information and services efficiently.
Riyadh Smart Transportation Solutions: Aiming at improving the public transportation and reducing traffic jam, here are some solutions being implemented:
● Smart Transportation Applications: These smartphone applications provide real-time schedules for buses, metro, trains, and other public transportation means. They also offer electronic payment options for tickets, along with allowing users to submit their complaints, comments and to provide their feedback.
● Smart Buses: Buses are equipped with modern technologies, such as GPS and tracking systems, making it easier for users to know bus schedules and their respective stops.
● Car sharing: Encouraging carpooling through ride-sharing applications and boosting the use of smart cars aim to reduce the number of cars used and their emission, thus decreasing their negative effect on the environment.
● Public Bike Network: A public bike network has been developed in Riyadh, allowing users to rent smart bikes from designated stations and use them as a means of transportation.
Digital Healthcare: This term refers to the use of technology to improve and facilitate the delivery of healthcare services in an innovative and efficient manner.
Digital healthcare involves several aspects, including:
● Electronic Health Records: These records allow the secure recording, storing, and sharing of patients' health information, enabling quick and convenient access to it when needed.
● Telemedicine: Telemedicine enables online communication with healthcare providers through dedicated applications for consultations, diagnoses, treatment of minor illnesses, and non-urgent conditions. Communication can be conducted via voice, video, or text messages.
● Health Apps: These apps contribute to promoting health awareness and public health. They provide a range of diverse services, such as health monitoring and medication management.
Riyadh Smart Energy Management: It is a part of the digital transformation and a component of Riyadh Smart Infrastructure. It aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact associated with energy consumption. Smart energy management utilizes technology and data to monitor and analyze energy consumption and apply effective measures for performance improvement through:
● Riyadh Smart Grid Systems: These grids utilize smart control and monitoring systems to enhance electricity distribution and manage the electrical network more efficiently and intelligently.
● Smart Meters: These meters provide accurate measurements of energy consumption and continuously transmit the data. They are connected to the electrical grid, allowing consumers and service providers to monitor consumption and analyze the data for better decision-making in energy management.
● Smart Load Management: These systems monitor and control the energy consumption of household and commercial appliances. They enable intelligent regulation of usage to achieve energy savings and alleviate congestion in energy demand.
Riyadh Smart Environmental Sustainability Initiatives:
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy on October 23, 2021, with the aim of transforming Riyadh into one of the most sustainable cities worldwide. This strategy includes more than 68 initiatives divided into six sectors, which are:
Natural Resource Management: This sector includes a number of initiatives, including:
● Protection and development of natural life areas.
● Protection and regulation of agricultural land use.
● Vegetation restoration in Riyadh region.
● Conservation of protected areas in Wadi Hanifa.
● Environmental rehabilitation of Wadi Al-Sulai, Wadi Hanifa, and their rivers.
Waste Management: Waste is a significant environmental issue that affects almost every society. In Riyadh, several initiatives have been organized to address waste management, including:
● Regulating waste disposal in public areas.
● Managing construction and excavation waste.
● Handling hazardous industrial waste.
● Managing Asbestos materials.
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development: This sector includes numerous initiatives due to its significant importance. Here are a few examples:
● Regulating and controlling unplanned activities in Riyadh.
● Applying environmental compliance standards for power generating stations.
● Applying environmental sustainability standards and measuring their indicators.
● Conducting environmental impact assessments for projects.
Climate Change: This sector is supported by initiatives aimed at energy consumption optimization. Additionally, there is an initiative to assess the impacts of climate change on Riyadh and a study of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Air Quality: Air quality is being prioritized through the following measures:
● Monitoring emissions from power generating stations.
● Controlling and treating sources of air pollution.
● Studying the health effects of air pollutants.
Water and Soil Resources: Water and soil resources are given significant attention, and several initiatives have been dedicated to their management. The key initiatives include:
● Utilizing surface water and rainwater.
● Controlling groundwater levels.
● Reusing treated wastewater.
● Managing and treating sewage water.
● Preserving and maintaining drinking water sources and its quality.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Smart City Initiatives
In smart city initiatives, it is undeniable that artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role. Smart cities, by their nature, rely on information and communication technology to improve the quality of life and provide the best services to their citizens. AI has previously been used in public supervision to monitor visual distortions through aerial photography, and to tackle the improper disposal of construction waste in neighborhoods. AI can be utilized in various sectors, such as smart traffic management and intelligent medical diagnosis, where the analyses it performs can be beneficial in various fields.
Finally, there is a dedicated and continuous effort to transform Riyadh into a smart city by the year 2030. Riyadh Municipality has taken initiatives to increase the number of beneficiaries from its electronic services by 53%. Additionally, it has worked towards supporting urban development in the city by applying data-driven investment models, such as launching the "Ideas Platform" for residents. This ongoing effort demonstrates Riyadh as a leading example locally, regionally, and globally in keeping up with development and utilizing contemporary technology in a positive manner across all aspects of life, aiming to elevate cities towards a better future.
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