Smart cities use technology and sustainability to improve city life. Data collection enhances services, lowers environmental impact and boosts economic growth. As urban populations grow, the priority is on better transportation links and community involvement to meet residents' needs.
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00:00Cities are becoming smarter and they're redefining how we can coexist with nature with fresh ideas and eco-friendly solutions.
00:09The next generation of cities promise a thriving future for everyone.
00:17Welcome to The Exchange from our studio in Doha.
00:20Coming up on this episode, we speak with Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the United Nations Environment Programme
00:28about what it takes to be called a smart city.
00:31And we get insights from Yosik Kang, CEO of Seoul Digital Foundation, about the best strategies for digital transformation.
00:39Well, before we explore smart cities, let's first take a look at what defines a city.
00:45According to the United Nations, a city is classified as a densely populated area.
00:51Today, more than half of the world's population is living in cities, and this number is expected to reach 70% by 2050.
01:00This growth shows the need for smart and sustainable solutions to tackle consumption challenges.
01:06In 2024, the global smart city market was valued at $1.8 billion.
01:11According to President's research, that figure is expected to reach nearly $14 billion by 2034.
01:18And by 2030, the International Energy Agency says renewable energy is expected to provide nearly half of the world's electricity.
01:27Solar power will lead this change, making up 80% of the new renewable energy capacity.
01:34This shift is important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
01:39Well, urban planning isn't just about making a city livable, it's also about making them thrive.
01:45And for that to happen, sustainable development and technology must go hand in hand.
01:51I spoke to Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the United Nations Environment Programme,
01:57who shared deeper insights about the role technology plays.
02:03Addressing environmental crisis at city level is crucial because the majority of people today in the world live in urban areas,
02:09and cities can play a critical role in it, a critical part in it, through innovation, through sustainable practices.
02:16By employing new technology, solar energy, wind energy and other modern renewable energy systems can be localised at cities and urban centres.
02:28Vienna's smart city initiative is a good example.
02:31This is a strategy which aims at climate neutrality by 2040 through cutting of greenhouse gas emissions and also reducing the material footprint of the city.
02:45Here in Qatar, the digital transformation has been quite phenomenal.
02:49In just over a decade, the country has developed two smart cities, revolutionised its public transport system and heavily invested into smart nation platforms.
03:00With these investments expected to hit nearly $6 billion in 2026,
03:04our reporter Mohamed Elashi examines how Qatar is tapping on international expertise to help steer its policies.
03:14Hi Laila, I'm at Mishara Properties, a real estate and development company with innovation and sustainability at its core.
03:21This exciting company has transformed urban living in Qatar using intelligent designs,
03:26proving that modern technology can harmonise with nature.
03:31More than just unique buildings, this project fosters a lively community of retail, business and residential units that optimises eco-friendly resources like solar energy.
03:43If you fly over Mishara downtown, you will see it is full of solar panels and PV panels installed on all the roofs.
03:50We focus on how the city would be smart and sustainable.
03:54We take care of the design of the buildings, the elevation of the buildings and the façade of the buildings.
03:59What people don't see is that we have another city below our city.
04:03All the functions of the devices being separated over the cities is being connected to our central command centre.
04:10We monitor every single aspect around the city.
04:15Next, we head over to QSTP, Qatar's Science and Technology Park.
04:20It's here that we find IBIDROLA Innovation Middle East, a pioneering research and development centre from the Spanish multinational electrical utility.
04:28The centre aims to enhance battery storage solutions, working to reshape the energy landscape.
04:34The products that we develop here in Qatar are applied worldwide.
04:37What we do is to develop and apply artificial intelligence-based solutions to enable this energy transition.
04:44What we have done is a tool that allows the sizing and the operation of batteries in a way that optimises the use of these batteries to enable more integration of renewables and more integration of demand.
04:56As IBIDROLA powers the next generation of renewable energy, together with Mishara Properties, they join a global movement for a smarter, greener tomorrow.
05:07When it comes to building smart cities, South Korea has one of the most highly connected populations in the world.
05:15Innovation has been a key driver of the digital transformation of the capital city, Seoul, and others like Busan and Songdo.
05:23I spoke to Yoshik Kang, the CEO of Seoul Digital Foundation, who told me how artificial intelligence helps to enhance the lives of city residents.
05:33Smart cities are not only about technology. It is about including everyone with technology.
05:41Like saying, AI in all, all in AI.
05:45AI technology makes a big impact on both industry and our lives.
05:51We enhance the citizen life convenience by gathering good data.
05:57The quality of life and the pattern is changing with AI.
06:03To build a smart city with us, we must run fast and run fast.
06:12Now it's time for our regular feature, Business in 60 Seconds. Start the clock.
06:17Tesla is preparing to release its fourth quarter earnings report for 2024, as CEO Elon Musk hints at the development of a new, larger vehicle.
06:27With the Model X being the only option for families needing more than four seats, the upcoming Robovan concept aims to address the needs of larger groups.
06:37LVMH is gearing up to announce its fourth quarter 2024 financial results after securing a 10-year sponsorship deal with Formula One.
06:45This partnership will cover the luxury conglomerate's renowned brands, including Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer, replacing the high-end Swiss watchmaker Rolex's sponsorship.
06:56And Microsoft is getting ready to announce its second quarter 2025 earnings report,
07:01as the tech giant continues to strengthen its security standards after the impact of the global CrowdStrike IT outage last July.
07:09The company is focusing on new initiatives and advancements in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
07:18From London to Seoul, investments in renewable energy are on the rise to meet growing energy demands.
07:24And while each city is unique, it's clear that there's an increasing need for the adoption of smart applications and sustainable solutions.
07:32And while many smart cities of the world are in developed countries,
07:36Qatar is a prime example of how an ambitious and empowered nation has become a success story for other developing countries to follow.
07:45Well, that's all the time we have for on this edition of the show.
07:48Thanks for watching.
07:49Please do check out Euronews.com for all your latest business news and join us again next time on The Exchange.