A conference speech via hologram was a first, even for the futuristic aspirations of Dubai. That is how Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed chose to deliver his speech on the future of cities at the end of day two of the World Government Summit.
His focus was on the seven shifts shaping a modern city of the future, beginning with its design, and mobility at its heart.
How we live in a modern city will change, with a predicted increased use of smart devices tapped in to the Internet of Things.
“Countries are nothing but a bundle of cities, and their success is related to the success of their economies,” said Sheikh Hamdan, projected as a hologram on stage.
“The future of human beings and life is intimately related to the future of cities.
“Many of the world’s cities look to Dubai as a symbol of the future.
“We have a constant goal to be at least 10 years more advanced.
“The future is supposed to improve the present, to achieve more so the journey towards the future is continuous.”
By reducing travel times between home and work from the average of 60 minutes a day, happiness and personal wealth should increase, according to a study by the University of the West of England referenced during the 30 minute presentation.
Researchers looked at the impact on well-being of 26,000 commuters between 2009-2015.
It found every extra minute of commute time reduces job satisfaction, leisure time satisfaction, but increases strain and reduces mental health.
Taking high speed transport links underground and to the air via the Hyperloop and the RTA’s proposed flying taxi project will help reduce commute times, Sheikh Hamdan said.
A previous study found Dubai commuters spent three working days stuck in traffic in 2017, putting into sharp focus the impact on health and family life.
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Day two at the World Government Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid gets out of the Sky pod on day two at the World Government Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on day two at the World Government Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Epsy Campbell Barr, Vice President of the Republic of Costa Rica, speaks on day two at the World Government Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General, OECD. Victor Besa / The National -
Director General of the ILO Guy Ryder speaks at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
The Art and Science of Decision Making: Daniel Kahneman, Noble Laureate and Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs, Princeton University, moderated by Mina Al Oraibi of The National. Victor Besa / The National -
Harrison Ford listens to a climate change forum during day two at the World Government Summit at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Bill McDonough, founder of architecture firm William McDonough and Partners, speaks about climate change and the health of our oceans at the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A saxophonist entertains passers by at the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernando Espinosa Garces, speaks at the event. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A stack of coconuts offering compostable hydration is shown to attendees. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Harrison Ford speaks to the UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa on Monday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Wang Zhigang, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, Minister of Science and Technology, People's Republic of China, speaks to attendees. Victor Besa / The National -
Harrison Ford speaks to the Emirati environment minister Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi and another official at the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, speaks to delegates. Victor Besa / The National -
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, speaks to delegates. Victor Besa / The National -
Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General, OECD, takes part in a question and answer session, moderated by Becky Anderson of CNN. Victor Besa / The National
Energy consumption was a central message, with a vision of how homes will become self-sufficient energy providers thanks to the latest sustainable technology, such as transparent windows becoming efficient solar panels.
The competitiveness between cities will encourage a continuing race to improve and keep up with the latest trends.
While the sharing of data will enable technology within cities, it will create a new economy centred around data, sharing of services like Air B&B and circular economies to sell surplus energy created from sustainable sources.
The seventh shift in the development of modern cities is how governance and legislation will operate within urban areas.
Increasing autonomous transport is forecast to reduce traffic by 40 per cent and free up parking spaces for more efficient development.
“The number of parking lots in cities often exceeds 20 per cent of land space, with the cost of that land equivalent of Dh50 billion,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“The main challenge is reducing the impact of this on social connectivity.
“Cities will be shaped on the experience of individuals, to present quality of life and provide 80 per cent of the needs of an individual.”
The cost of clean energy will reduce and the use of solar energy will increase by 60 per cent from 2016 levels.
“Smart grids for the distribution of energy will enable us to predict the demand for energy,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“Our homes will become mini-systems to generate power, so every human becomes a producer and consumer of energy at the same time.
“Cities will be more secure, safe, connected and productive.
“They will become food baskets as we move towards more sustainable farming methods within our cities.
“Future design of these cities will create living, breathing urban areas with a digital backbone."
