newseditor Smart Cities in KSA – A Guide:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a rapidly growing population. The nation will inevitably need more resources, such as food, water, electricity, and clean air. Over the years, KSA has begun to develop smart cities.
Smart cities worldwide use technologies in different sectors, including the health, lifestyle economy, environment, mobility, and government, to promote sustainable economic growth and high quality of life to solve the difficulties of expanding urbanization. By fostering local development and using technology, especially that which produces better outcomes, the smart city mission’s primary goals are to promote economic growth and enhance people’s quality of life.
KSA is one of the countries using cutting-edge technologies to improve urban life. The market for KSA Smart Cities, valued at $3,552.1 million in 2019, is expected to increase at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2020 to 2027. By 2027, Smart Cities in KSA are expected to reach $14,745.2 million.
Features of KSA Smart Cities
Smart cities in KSA aim to achieve three main goals. These goals include improving citizens’ quality of life, achieving financial sustainability, and improving the quality of services.
Smart cities will create solutions to the complex challenges associated with development, namely sustainability, congestion, transportation, and energy use. KSA Smart Cities aims to improve the quality of life for all members of society. Some of the Smart Cities in KSA include:
Neom City
Neom is one of the KSA Smart Cities. It is presently being constructed in Tabuk Province in northwest Saudi Arabia. It will combine smart city technology, serve as a tourism attraction, and be built for an estimated $500 billion. The site of the massive smart city is selected so that it will directly benefit from the commercial routes of the Red Sea, Suez Canal, and Gulf of Aqaba. Another strategic benefit for the city will come from the upcoming “King Salman Bridge,” which directly links Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Major components of the project were supposed to be done by 2020, and an extension was supposed to be finished in 2025. Still, due to delays, it is expected to be completed in 2026.
Jeddah
Jeddah is the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and the tenth-largest metropolis in the Middle East, with a population of around five million. Jeddah is a prominent holy site and a well-liked tourist attraction since it is the main entry point to Mecca. The smart city project covers a total of 5 million square meters. According to Saudi Vision 2030, this KSA smart city is distinguished by an interconnected infrastructure and the utilization of digital and smart apps and technology to provide automated services to clients.
AlNama
AlNama is a city situated on the outskirts of Riyadh. The KSA smart city project aims to construct a zero-carbon town where “people, earth, and business flourish in harmony.” The KSA smart city project, created by Dubai-based developer URB, intends to provide 11,000 residential units and has a target population of 44,000. Also, this KSA smart city will include residential, educational, economic, touristic, and medical facilities.
Final Thoughts
Smart Cities in KSA will create a greener and more ecologically friendly environment. Smart city technology gives citizens new options and better engagement and interactions. In the next couple of years, KSA will be a sustainable nation.
