00:00Cities are becoming smarter and they're redefining how we can coexist with nature with fresh ideas and eco-friendly solutions.
00:09The next generation of cities promise a thriving future for everyone.
00:17Welcome to The Exchange from our studio in Doha.
00:20Coming up on this episode, we speak with Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the United Nations Environment Programme
00:28about what it takes to be called a smart city.
00:31And we get insights from Yosik Kang, CEO of Seoul Digital Foundation, about the best strategies for digital transformation.
00:39Well, before we explore smart cities, let's first take a look at what defines a city.
00:45According to the United Nations, a city is classified as a densely populated area.
00:51Today, more than half of the world's population is living in cities, and this number is expected to reach 70% by 2050.
01:00This growth shows the need for smart and sustainable solutions to tackle consumption challenges.
01:06In 2024, the global smart city market was valued at $1.8 billion.
01:11According to President's research, that figure is expected to reach nearly $14 billion by 2034.
01:18And by 2030, the International Energy Agency says renewable energy is expected to provide nearly half of the world's electricity.
01:27Solar power will lead this change, making up 80% of the new renewable energy capacity.
01:34This shift is important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
01:39Well, urban planning isn't just about making a city livable, it's also about making them thrive.
01:45And for that to happen, sustainable development and technology must go hand in hand.
01:51I spoke to Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the United Nations Environment Programme,
01:57who shared deeper insights about the role technology plays.
02:03Addressing environmental crisis at city level is crucial because the majority of people today in the world live in urban areas,
02:09and cities can play a critical role in it, a critical part in it, through innovation, through sustainable practices.
02:16By employing new technology, solar energy, wind energy and other modern renewable energy systems can be localised at cities and urban centres.
02:28Vienna's smart city initiative is a good example.
02:31This is a strategy which aims at climate neutrality by 2040 through cutting of greenhouse gas emissions and also reducing the material footprint of the city.
02:45Here in Qatar, the digital transformation has been quite phenomenal.
02:49In just over a decade, the country has developed two smart cities, revolutionised its public transport system and heavily invested into smart nation platforms.
03:00With these investments expected to hit nearly $6 billion in 2026,
03:04our reporter Mohamed Elashi examines how Qatar is tapping on international expertise to help steer its policies.
03:14Hi Laila, I'm at Mishara Properties, a real estate and development company with innovation and sustainability at its core.
03:21This exciting company has transformed urban living in Qatar using intelligent designs,
03:26proving that modern technology can harmonise with nature.
03:31More than just unique buildings, this project fosters a lively community of retail, business and residential units that optimises eco-friendly resources like solar energy.
03:43If you fly over Mishara downtown, you will see it is full of solar panels and PV panels installed on all the roofs.
03:50We focus on how the city would be smart and sustainable.
03:54We take care of the design of the buildings, the elevation of the buildings and the façade of the buildings.
03:59What people don't see is that we have another city below our city.
04:03All the functions of the devices being separated over the cities is being connected to our central command centre.
04:10We monitor every single aspect around the city.
04:15Next, we head over to QSTP, Qatar's Science and Technology Park.
04:20It's here that we find IBIDROLA Innovation Middle East, a pioneering research and development centre from the Spanish multinational electrical utility.
04:28The centre aims to enhance battery storage solutions, working to reshape the energy landscape.
04:34The products that we develop here in Qatar are applied worldwide.
04:37What we do is to develop and apply artificial intelligence-based solutions to enable this energy transition.
04:44What we have done is a tool that allows the sizing and the operation of batteries in a way that optimises the use of these batteries to enable more integration of renewables and more integration of demand.
04:56As IBIDROLA powers the next generation of renewable energy, together with Mishara Properties, they join a global movement for a smarter, greener tomorrow.
05:07When it comes to building smart cities, South Korea has one of the most highly connected populations in the world.
05:15Innovation has been a key driver of the digital transformation of the capital city, Seoul, and others like Busan and Songdo.
05:23I spoke to Yoshik Kang, the CEO of Seoul Digital Foundation, who told me how artificial intelligence helps to enhance the lives of city residents.
05:33Smart cities are not only about technology. It is about including everyone with technology.
05:41Like saying, AI in all, all in AI.
05:45AI technology makes a big impact on both industry and our lives.
05:51We enhance the citizen life convenience by gathering good data.
05:57The quality of life and the pattern is changing with AI.
06:03To build a smart city with us, we must run fast and run fast.
06:12Now it's time for our regular feature, Business in 60 Seconds. Start the clock.
06:17Tesla is preparing to release its fourth quarter earnings report for 2024, as CEO Elon Musk hints at the development of a new, larger vehicle.
06:27With the Model X being the only option for families needing more than four seats, the upcoming Robovan concept aims to address the needs of larger groups.
06:37LVMH is gearing up to announce its fourth quarter 2024 financial results after securing a 10-year sponsorship deal with Formula One.
06:45This partnership will cover the luxury conglomerate's renowned brands, including Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer, replacing the high-end Swiss watchmaker Rolex's sponsorship.
06:56And Microsoft is getting ready to announce its second quarter 2025 earnings report,
07:01as the tech giant continues to strengthen its security standards after the impact of the global CrowdStrike IT outage last July.
07:09The company is focusing on new initiatives and advancements in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
07:18From London to Seoul, investments in renewable energy are on the rise to meet growing energy demands.
07:24And while each city is unique, it's clear that there's an increasing need for the adoption of smart applications and sustainable solutions.
07:32And while many smart cities of the world are in developed countries,
07:36Qatar is a prime example of how an ambitious and empowered nation has become a success story for other developing countries to follow.
07:45Well, that's all the time we have for on this edition of the show.
07:48Thanks for watching.
07:49Please do check out Euronews.com for all your latest business news and join us again next time on The Exchange.
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