Page 46 - Issue 58

Vol. 1 Issue 58 August 2023 ELITE

Prospects of Sustainable Smart Cities

Dr. Shaimaa Saeed El Araby - Economic Expert - IDSC

The article presents an overview of a concept There are many sustainable smart cities in the
that emerged in the 21st century, namely sustainable world, including Masdar City in the UAE. It is
cities, the motives for their establishment, their considered one of the first sustainable cities in the
goals, and Egypt's experience in establishing them. Middle East to adopt a green footprint for future
Smart sustainable cities are defined as new, cities and is characterized by low rates of pollution
green, eco-friendly cities based on the use of and waste. Other examples are Stockholm in
information and communication technologies and Sweden, Adelaide in Australia, Sion in South Korea,
other means to improve the quality of life, raise the Ontario in Canada, Taipei, in Taiwan, Mitaka in
efficiency of services provided to citizens, and meet Japan, New York in the USA, and Vienna in
the needs of present and future generations with Austria. It is estimated that by 2050, 68% of the
regard to economic, social, and environmental world's population, 6.66 billion people will live in
aspects. Smart sustainable cities are characterized by these cities.
a distinctive local urban character through the The Egyptian Government has begun to establish
environmental urban design of the city and the new smart cities in the desert. It was planned to
provision of open areas for the population. It is also establish 13 cities with international technological
characterized by providing an excellent economic standards that achieve sustainability. New Alamein
base that provides suitable job opportunities for its and New Aswan come on top of the cities. The New
residents by attracting local and foreign investments, Administrative Capital (NAC) is soon to be
presenting various educational services as well as in inaugurated. Such cities mitigate population density
all services, preserving the environment, and in existing cities, reduce urban encroachments in
expanding the use of renewable energy. them that pressure services, and achieve sustainable
Smart sustainable cities aim at achieving development in Egypt.
efficiency and sustainable development and raising NAC is the first sustainable and smart city in
the standard of living for citizens. The applications Egypt located in the east of Cairo. The total area of
of sustainable smart cities appear in the the city is 170,000 acres; it is characterized by a
improvement of government services, privileged location close to the Suez Canal area,
transportation, traffic, energy, healthcare, water, regional roads, and main axes. It is also
and waste. There are three main features of characterized by a strong and efficient
sustainable smart cities. First, the infrastructure is infrastructure, the use of digital technology, and
45 based on information and communication green spaces represented by the Green River. It is 35
technology. Second, they have a carefully defined
kilometers long to simulate the Nile River in Cairo;
integrated administrative framework. Third, they
abound with smart users, who have the technical it is the largest green axis in the world.
skills that allow them to interact with smart services
and make the most of them.