FOOD security, sustainable energy solutions and artificial intelligence systems will be some of the key topics that will be discussed at a key conference to be held in the kingdom next month.
The 17th edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2024 will be held from March 5-6 under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
The annual summit brings together key stakeholders and industry experts to explore the latest innovations and trends in smart city technologies, driving progress towards more sustainable and liveable cities.
Over the past five years, the event has hosted five ministerial keynote speeches, 800 delegates, more than 70 local and international speakers in over 30 specialised tracks, and a total of 120 presentations and case studies.
“This summit is line with the kingdom’s vision and transition to smart and sustainable cities by adopting the best technologies as part of the development process led by His Majesty King Hamad,” said Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Mubarak yesterday.
“The Bahrain Smart Cities Summit will focus on smart real estate, food security, use of renewable energy, waste management and emerging technologies in urban development, among other key topics.”
The summit will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops from distinguished speakers and industry leaders.
In addition, on the sidelines an exhibition will feature local and international firms showcasing smart building and artificial intelligence systems and solutions.
In addition, this year the Bahrain Smart Cities Awards 2024 will be announced to recognise and celebrate the innovative solutions and best practices in smart city development in Bahrain.
The awards aim to inspire and promote the adoption of sustainable and efficient smart city solutions that enhance the quality of life for residents, while ensuring the responsible use of resources.
With categories that cover a wide range of smart city solutions, the awards provide a platform for showcasing the latest trends and innovations in innovative use of AI and IoT technologies in smart city implementations, food security/agritech, renewable energy, smart real estate/smart buildings, and environmental, social, governance (ESG) considerations.
The GDN reported last year that one of the innovations showcased at the previous summit was a new traffic system that shortens response time for emergency teams to reach an accident site that was showcased by Interior Ministry’s General Directorate of Traffic.
The system which is functional in the operations room assesses the geographical location of an emergency or incident, allowing officials to reduce the response time by sending teams that are closest to the area.
Bahrain’s housing strategy, in accordance with the New Urban Agenda issued by UN-HABITAT has moved towards smart cities, whereby urban areas can become more efficient, liveable and sustainable in the short and long term.
The Bahrain government delivered on its commitment to provide 40,000 housing units to citizens, between 2013 and 2022, through the construction of five new cities, financed through the GCC Development Programme and through partnership with the private sector. These cities are Salman City, Khalifa City, East Hidd, East Sitra and Al Ramli.
Bahrain has adopted a series of green projects including installing solar panels on rooftops of government schools and ministries, discussing plans of floating wind turbines, energy efficient ratings for buildings and setting up the first electric cars station in Saar.
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