The sixth edition of Smart Cities Summit 2023 hosted by Bahrain focused on the main enabling factors for the development of smart cities, which are infrastructure and technology.
The international summit which was inaugrated today by Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture is attended by 250 participants from public and private sectors from many countries around the world.
Twenty local and international exhibitors showcased technology solutions, renewable energy, and smart homes in the exhibition held as part of the summit.
Ten sessions with 40 speakers are lined up over the two days of the summit, to shed light on smart city solutions, future technology, smart buildings and digital twinning, smart and sustainable agricultural technologies, presentation of government agencies’ initiatives in smart cities, and applications of artificial intelligence in smart cities.
Among the participants was Chinese Company (Hikvision) which helps people better connect with the world around them through intelligent products. Amir Chen, the company’s General Country Manager said that Hikvision entered the Bahraini market 10 years ago, noting the importance of this summit for the company to exchange experiences with other international entities.
“We have already gained a lot of opportunities and benefits from our previous participation. So that’s why we will continuously support and put our efforts into this exhibition. We believe that smart Cities is a concept that everyone cares about because it provides a safer, more stable, and more sustainable life,” Chen said.
“We believe that a Smart City is a fundamental requirement for all citizens. And we, in Hikvision will develop our company to all aspects of smart city constructions.”
Naseej, a local real estate development company, believes that Smart cities are the future, and the foundation of a smart city lies in the integration of innovative technologies and sustainable practices in every aspect of urban life. Smart homes, as a key component of smart cities, are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents by providing comfort, convenience, safety, and energy efficiency by using advanced technologies.
Ameen Al Arrayed CEO of Naseej touched on the importance of building affordable housing projects with use of technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics in the design and construction.
He noted that these technologies enable the company to create homes that are energy-efficient, secure, and connected, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
“In the past years, we have witnessed a rapid growth of urbanization in Bahrain, which has led to an increased demand for housing. As we work towards meeting this demand, we are also committed to providing homes that are not only affordable but also technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable,” Al Arrayed said.
The event also presented Bahrain’s experience in using direct cooling systems to provide cooling for buildings, reduce the use of traditional air conditioning systems, reduce the demand for electricity and the impact on the environment.
Source: Bahrain News Agency