GCC governments are global drivers in developing physical and digital smart infrastructure as they seek to create safe, green and sustainable cities of the future, a leading tech innovator has said.
According to Borsan Doru Aurelian, chief executive of Germany-based Smart City Technologies and Neotech Finance, the pandemic has accelerated digitalisation and more and more areas in the public and private sectors are implementing “creative-intelligent ecosystems”.
Mr Aurelian told the GDN that the two companies are in the business of enabling the use of digital technology and data by cities to improve decision-making and quality of life.
“We provides an intelligent and high-resolution 3D image database, which enables clients to service their infrastructure and carry out building design work directly from their computer – whenever and wherever they are.
“Taking the powerful data of the real public space, we engage AI and blockchain to create the link between reality and digital 3D virtual reality.”
Last November Bahrain announced plans to invest more than $30 billion via 22 signature projects across key sectors – including telecoms, tourism, education, manufacturing and health.
New projects include the creation of five cities on newly constructed islands, increasing Bahrain’s total land area by more than 60 per cent and a new metro network of more than 109km connecting all major population hubs in the country.
These are opportunities that Smart City and Neotech are keen to contribute to, says Mr Aurelian.
“Our solutions serve multiple purposes, for a broad spectrum of industries, including infrastructure management, urban planning, rail, construction and civil engineering, tunneling.”
The official sees Bahrain as a sandbox for the wider region where Smart City plans to deploy its smart solutions, giving public authorities a better understanding of current conditions along with the ability to forecast future changes and optimise city functions.
“Our software provides the big picture of a city but we can go up to a single pixel point that has its own stereo 70 co-ordinates, and in doing so, we consider ourself to be the perfect tool in the hand of any public or private manager,” he explains.
“Our plans for the region include creating a digital 3D copy of all major communities. Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the main focus for us here.”
He adds that this part of the world has “unique natural challenges and there is a need to provide investments that will tackle these difficulties”.
The official is looking forward to the second Royal Investment Summit in the UAE later this month organised by The Private Office of Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Duaij Al Khalifa
The summit, themed ‘Future of Investments in the GCC’, is set to take place at the Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai, on January 23 and 24 with in-person attendees for the first time.
“I hope that by being present at this major event our technology that is now well known in Europe and other parts of the world will have the chance to meet a new world, where the latest smart trends are used to generate profitable investments and improve people life.”
Mr Aurelian strongly believes in Smart City’s ability to help transform and improve the technical decision-making process, supporting city planners and public and private stakeholders that need fast and precise tools for development of physical infrastructure.
“So far, our products have been implemented all over the world, in major capitals and cities such as Berlin, Vienna, Gothenburg, Bucharest, Zurich, Luxembourg Paris, Miami and New York.
“We see the summit is the main gateway to meet and acknowledge those changing the face of investment across the Gulf region.”
Public and private services are now in a digital transformation stage all over the world.
A key tipping point, he says, will be global standards for AI and VR technologies.
Source: https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/economy/story/GCC_leads_smart_cities_push-SNG_275983154/