eBusiness Weekly
Enacy Mapakame
The concept of smart cities is gathering pace in Zimbabwe as it emerged several Government officials and private sector representatives are set to tour Dubai next month, in the United Arab Emirates to learn more on the implementation of the matter.
This comes after President Mnangagwa recently approved the smart cities concept in line with the country’s vision of having an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
A smart city is a place that combines physical, digital and human systems into existing networks and services to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions for the benefit of inhabitants and companies as the world battles climate change.
The concept includes more green buildings, integrated renewable energy sources, sustainable heating and cooling systems, smarter urban transportation networks, upgraded water supply, and better waste disposal facilities to address the city’s economic, social and environmental challenges.
Global Renaissance Investment (GRI), which is organising the tour and the International smart government and smart cities conference from February 4 to 11, said Zimbabwe has a lot to learn from Dubai whose pioneering of smart city strategy has helped it to become one of the world’s most exciting and futuristic metropolises.
“Dubai has become a pivotal hub in the global economy, offering growth and expansion opportunities for investors across strategic and future-oriented sectors in financial services, logistics, hospitality and trade as well as leading ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies, accelerating digital transformation across all sectors, industries, and smart city services in Dubai,” said GRI chief executive officer (CEO) Ngoni Dzirutwe.
He added that Dubai has over the years invested billions of dollars in the development of high-tech, connected services designed to make the emirate one of the world’s most liveable cities and a major global hub for tourism, commerce and trade.
In 2014, authorities launched the Smart Dubai strategy, which encompassed 100 initiatives designed to encourage collaboration between public and private sectors, covering six key focus areas — transportation, society, lifestyle, economy, Government and environment.
These initiatives covered everything from the development of autonomous transportation services to blockchain solutions deployed across sectors ranging from finance and education to research and development.
Dzirutwe said in line with Government’s vision that no city or town should lag behind as the country forges ahead towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by the year 2030, he was inviting local councils, investors and real estate players to be part of this historic tour.
“With a rapid surge in urban populations and environmental concerns, smart cities are no longer optional.
“Large numbers of people now need to work with limited resources and all inefficiencies, excess or wastage need to be curbed and eliminated,” he said.
“Smart cities help optimise processes like public transport and traffic through smart mobility, resulting in energy conservation, reduced carbon emissions and reduced commute times for commuters.”
He added that such smart frameworks also include revenue generation opportunities and potential and if designed right have the potential of making municipalities self-sustained.
Smart cities are a growing concept with new technological and logical advancements making them more effective, said Dzirutwe.
“The tour and conference is also a platform to market Zimbabwe’s investment opportunities to the international community as we are expecting more than 2 000 delegates to grace the event,” he said
