DUBAI // Less traffic and more community areas focused on sustainability and the environment were some of the main features in the future visions of Abu Dhabi and Dubai as smart cities.
But streets, pavements and residential areas will have to be evaluated to be able to accommodate the necessary changes.
“They have to be reviewed, as roads were built for other purposes rather than walking or cycling, 40 years ago,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.
“The future of the city of Abu Dhabi and its vision is to create a sustainable city where services are constantly answering the problems of citizens; citizens are happy, transport is sustainable, and we will have private vehicles that will cover part of transportation.
“We are also focusing on the environment, including marine life and wildlife.”
He said that although technology changes every three to four years, suitable infrastructure was put in place to benefit future smart cities.
“One of our goals is to have developed streets, from pavements to public transport,” said Mr Al Ahbabi. “We want harmony between the environment, the city and its streets, and we wanted to provide all services in no more than 10 seconds.”
According to the United Nations, 70 per cent of the world population will be living in cities by 2030. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have ranked high in providing smart services to their residents, but more needs to be done to improve living conditions.
“There is a preference for grid systems like in New York, Abu Dhabi and Portland,” said Mr Ahbabi. “It helps with ease of transport and walking around. Transport and infrastructure are essential and we cannot neglect entry and exit points, so there should always be a specific plan and structure.”
He said it would be beneficial if residents were to adopt public transport almost exclusively.
“Cities cannot continue with only highways, tunnels and bridges during the next 10 years,” he said. “So it’s very important to focus on this to ensure the city’s sustainability. Today our objective is to achieve liveable cities so we have to reorganise traffic for that objective, to help the elderly and children in the coming 10 to 15 years.”
The scenario is similar in Dubai. Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: “Sustainability is an essential element to shifting to a smart city.
“Humans used to do everything with their own hands at first. Then there was machinery and man became the operator, while in the future, men will be in the final ranks and the smart systems will manage people’s lives. Men will start focusing on innovation, creation and outside the common space we live in.”
But the city will need reshaping through its infrastructure to meet development needs.
“We have to go into laws and regulations to limit the number of cars in the streets,” Mr Lootah said. “We need to focus on communities. Some companies provide buses for their employees, while some housing units can be placed closer to work.”
Studies are needed into the projected age of the population and the needs of the elderly, children and those with special needs.
“We have to build a database,” he said. “We cannot undertake a lot of smart activities and planning if we don’t have a proper database as it is the main tool for any system today.”
cmalek@thenational.ae
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Company%20Profile
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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