Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia is set to build a national model, named the Digital Twin, to stimulate urban policies by 2025, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Majed Al Hogail stated during his speech at the Global Smart City Forum 2024.
He said that this move came as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure coordinated services for residents and enhance quality of life.
Al Hogail added that the Digital Twin is one of the most prominent national applications and models that could contribute to transforming the way the ministry plans and operates cities.
“By 2025, we will be able to simulate the impact of our urban policies, plan for emergencies and disasters, and connect more agencies and residents in the joint design of cities with us,” the minister noted.
Speaking about the progress made by Saudi cities in the field of smart technology and urban development Al Hogail stated: “Our goal is for at least 10 Saudi cities to be among the top 50 global cities by achieving the factors of governance, sustainability, and interaction with the population, meeting their aspirations, and achieving high prosperity for them.”
Showcasing an example of utilizing technology to improve city services and infrastructure, the minister said that the Kingdom adopted a smart waste management solution based on emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), to transform cities into vibrant hubs for sustainable development and technology.
The smart waste management solution contributed to reducing waste in Jeddah by 25%.
The Global Smart City Forum 2024 takes place from 12 to 13 February, gathering policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and students to explore opportunities in business sectors, including smart governance, transportation, energy, economy, environment, healthcare, and education.
