Khalifa University recently hosted a workshop focused on the creation of Smart Cities in partnership with organizers EBTIC an ICT research and innovation center established by Etisalat BT and Khalifa University and supported by ICT Fund and Ulster University in the United Kingdom (UK). Sponsored by the British Council the workshop which attracted academic and industry leaders in the field of smart city development focused on the design deployment and management of connected cities particularly in how the UAE can push forward with its Smart city initiative.
The discussion which was led by Professor Ernesto Damiani from Khalifa University and Professor Gerard Parr from Ulster University revolved around fostering sustainability and economic prosperity as well as ensuring citizens’ safety health and quality of life. The event was attended by scientists and professionals from Cambridge Queens and Ulster Universities in the United Kingdom.
The workshop follows the announcement of a Smart City Strategy in 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Supervisor of the Dubai Smart City Project. The strategy focuses on six key pillars and 100 initiatives geared towards making transport communications infrastructure electricity economic services and urban planning smarter.
“This workshop was an amazing opportunity for UK and UAE-based researchers to establish new collaborations on the design and management of digital infrastructures in diverse geographical economic and cultural environments ” said Dr. Samer Al Samahi Director of EBTIC. “While paying particular attention to safety and security of citizens a key priority of this workshop was the development of joint approaches that would engage community participation and foster business initiatives. One of the real aims was to unlock the huge potential of UK-UAE collaboration toward establishing culturally diverse communities with high levels of prosperity sustainability and well-being. EBTIC has long been a driver of this type of innovation in the UAE and we look forward to participating in future endeavors that will drive technological advancement in the UAE.”
This follows the success the 2015 International Smart Cities Initiative Workshop which explored the theme of “Towards a Smarter City in the Local Context” and discussed the need for a smarter approach towards smart cities in the UAE and the region by taking into account academia industry and government interests.
After-workshop activities included a Call for Papers for the top scientific journal ACM Transactions on Internet Technology (TOIT) devoted to Emerging Technologies for Connected Communities.
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