Image used for representation only
Doha, Qatar: Smart cities go beyond the adoption of technology and digital transformation, but also involves smart, resilient strategies implemented in city planning and building.
Speaking at the ongoing Project Qatar on the topic, ‘The importance of Holistic Strategic Development Framework in Creating Smart and Sustainable Cities,’ Head of Strategic Planning and Studies Unit, Ministry of Municipality, Mona Noureldin Husen, said while technology is an integral part, strategic thinking and holistic, integrated development framework is needed in planning a smart city.
“I do believe that people tend to define smart cities as technologically modern urban areas that use different types of electronic and digitalised systems to follow up and analyse certain data and then use the information gained to enhance their assets. However, smart cities are way beyond such definitions,” Husen said, adding that it is inadequate for a solo approach of creating a smart city only from digital and technological points of view.
“It’s more about the strategic development framework adopted to create such smart cities. Creating a smart city is more about the smart resilience strategies we are adopting in our policy and city-making process and the urban integration, like how we shape the market and ensure a high level of future investment by carefully placing our developments,” she added.
According to Husen, the rapid urban development in Qatar over the last few years has only been possible because of an integrated strategic development framework. She said Qatar used hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar to embody and integrate the master plan into the infrastructure developed for the event.
Meanwhile, she noted that creating smart cities also has much to do with the spatial context.
“You are dealing with different characteristics within the urban context, densities, heights, demographic profiles, and urban fabrics. Such aspects need to be considered to tackle the creation of sustainable and smart cities."
“So holistically, the spatial context is quite sophisticated,” she added.
The complexities of urban planning mean it should be tackled from a strategic point of view covering economic diversity, planning for connectivity, and ensuring the whole city is connected not only by a motorised network but to create more livable and pedestrian-friendly areas. Husen stressed that city planning must consider identity, innovation, sustainability, and accessibility, all integrated with the environment, landscape, community facilities and development sectors, whether heritage, sports, tourism, or demographic profile.
