Smart Cities: King Abdullah Economic City

Timon Singh

Smart cities are taking off all over the world; metropolises characterized by high availability of advanced broadband communications services and effective electronic applications that help bridge the "digital divide" and improve the economic competence in these cities. As such, the Middle East is not one to be left behind, and Saudi Arabia has dedicated a lot of time and money into developing its cities into 'smart cities', like King Abdullah Economic City. 

Saudi Arabia's upgrading of its cities has been characterised by the King Abdullah Economic City which is described as delivering "state-of-the-art infrastructure and processes that will redefine and showcase new standards around the globe. Seamless integration of this infrastructure and advanced technology with business and public services will create a community that is totally self-supporting and accessible to all."

Quite a mission statement, but what does it actually mean and involve?

Cities of the future?

With businesses all round the world more dependant on the internet than ever, up and coming regions or development projects know that if they are to attract buyers, they will have to have a state of the art telecom and broadband service. In the UAE, emirates such as Dubai and Qatar have invested a lot of money into developing intelligent buildings, smart homes and e-government services are helping to transform life in the Middle East.

With over $2 trillion worth of investment being put into the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a bid to transform the region into a business hub, it makes sense to make sure that the area has everything possible to attract companies and beat the competition. As such, any major property development without 'smart technology' will fail to attract firms and will struggle to stand out in an already vast market.

With this in mind, Middle East developer Emaar has working to make its landmark project, the King Abdullah Economic City one of the world's most advanced smart cities.

The city's infrastructure

As one would expect, the city will have a state-of-the-art telecommunications network that will enable voice, data, video streaming and security applications over a converged network to cater for telephone, internet, data and other systems. This network will also be available on public services such as the transport system to allow people to be online whilst on the way to work or coming home.

The networks will be made up of high-tech fiber-optics that will serve as a common backbone delivering a number of ‘intelligent' services to both the workplace and home. This network will also ensure that public services such as the city transportation systems provide ultimate comfort and security with advanced technology.

Orange Business Services has already signed a real estate smart city consultancy contract to help develop the city. Speaking at the contract signing last year, Mr Philippe Koebel, Senior Vice President of Emerging Markets & Indirect Channels, Orange Business Services, said:

"Smart cities are proving not only more attractive to prospective tenants and occupiers but also offer lower costs in terms of maintenance and management, whilst offering the potential to bring in additional non-rental revenues to developers."

With such a technological backbone, the King Abdullah Economic City hopes to serve as a launch pad for millions of people across the region and companies around the world, with resources and mega-projects such as PetroRabegh and King Abdullah University for science and technology (KAUST).

The city is expected to be fully finished in 2025.

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