Introduction:

The world has been experiencing significant urban expansion in recent years, as a considerable portion of the global population has decided to move from rural areas to cities in search of more opportunities and a better quality of life. This has led to increased pressures and challenges for cities and their authorities, such as the immense strain on infrastructure, the need for more energy sources, and the demand for expanded healthcare, education, and community services.

As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, like many other countries, its cities are facing challenges and pressures to meet the demands of population growth and provide comprehensive services to residents. It is worth noting that the cities in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a noticeable increase in their population growth rates. With rapid urbanization, it is expected that by 2030, 90% of the population will live in cities, with Riyadh alone projected to have a population of 8.2 million people.

In addition to this challenge, the Kingdom faces a different one. As is well known, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil exporter in the world, and its economy primarily depends on oil, which accounts for 45% of the GDP. Given the current changes and the shift toward development and technological advancement, the Kingdom must redirect its attention and investment to other sources beyond oil and rely on non-oil resources to support the national economy.

Here, the concept of smart cities emerged as a solution to both challenges. Smart cities offer solutions for urban growth in the Kingdom, providing the necessary services and infrastructure. They also serve as a new and innovative source of investment and national income.

Thus, smart cities have become a focus of attention for the Kingdom, with efforts to establish these cities integrated into the Saudi Vision 2030 plans.

So, what exactly are smart cities? What is their economic impact on the Kingdom? And what are the key projects included in the plan? These are the questions we will address in this article and attempt to answer.

What is the concept of smart cities?

The term "smart cities" gradually emerged and took shape in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is associated with the use of technology and innovation to improve infrastructure and urban services to enhance quality of life and sustainability. The city of "Songdo" in South Korea is considered the first real-world model of a smart city, implemented A smart city is defined as a city managed and operated using big data and advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and more, to ensure a high quality of life, provide advanced and sustainable community services, and enhance citizens' well-being by improving government services.

In smart cities, all public facilities, key buildings, roads, green spaces, and traffic signals are interconnected through thousands of sensors and smart devices distributed throughout the city. This system continuously collects and transmits large amounts of data in real time to analyze and make decisions about energy conservation, improving daily life quality, managing traffic, preparing for weather events and climate fluctuations, and more. The city relies on smart technology to manage everything, from energy and transportation to waste and communication. Smart applications are also provided to citizens, allowing them to access city services and receive important reports and news.

What are the returns of smart cities on investment and citizens' lives?

Smart cities accelerate economic growth by investing in modern technologies. Major companies are drawn to these cities due to better communication networks, enhanced transportation options, reliable infrastructure, and a larger pool of potential customers and partners. These cities also provide access to vast customer data and accurate analytics, helping businesses make strategic decisions.

Smart cities implement various systems that enhance citizens' daily lives, making it impossible to limit these systems to specific examples. Any system that makes services and daily life easier guides energy consumption, and increases sustainability can be part of smart city systems. Some well-known examples include:

1. Smart Transportation Systems: These include traffic signal management, adjusting street openings and closures based on traffic density, smart parking that directs drivers to available spots, automatic calculation and payment of fees, and smart roads that monitor vehicles passing through toll gates, automatically deducting fees or imposing fines.

2. Energy Consumption Optimization Systems: These systems manage energy use in government buildings, important facilities, and streets to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

3. Green Space Enhancement Systems: These systems maintain the city's green areas, preventing drought, providing regular watering, and minimizing damage to these spaces.

4. Waste Management Systems: These efficiently manage waste collection vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, minimize unnecessary movements, and prevent public funds from being wasted.

In smart cities, there is a strong focus on sustainability, harnessing digital technologies to make better use of resources and reduce emissions. This has a direct impact on improving water supply systems, offering more efficient methods of building lighting and heating, and enhancing citizens' quality of life by providing comfort and safety.

Key Smart City Projects in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to transform vast areas, spanning thousands of square kilometers, into smart cities. The goal is urban expansion, creating new job opportunities, encouraging investment, and diversifying the economy. Some of the most important projects include:

1- NEOM Project:

Often referred to as the "City of Imagination," the NEOM project was launched in 2017 as part of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to transform the northwestern desert of Saudi Arabia into a futuristic city powered entirely by renewable energy, serving as a new model for sustainable living and a key example of smart city applications in the Kingdom. NEOM spans 41 islands, and 4 natural areas, and covers a total area of 26,500 square kilometers. The project includes 4 sub-projects: The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, and Sindalah.

2- Qiddiya Project:

Launched in 2018, the Qiddiya project aims to transform the city into a global hub for entertainment, sports, and culture. The development includes the construction of international sports stadiums, concert halls, luxurious entertainment venues, sports and art academies, racetracks, adventure and thrill event spaces, family-friendly amusement parks, and the famous Six Flags theme park. The total area of the city exceeds 360 square kilometers. It is expected to attract 48 million visitors annually and create 325,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, contributing 135 billion riyals to the Kingdom's GDP upon full operation.

3- Red Sea Project:

This is a development project focused on creating a tourism destination along the Kingdom’s western coast. The destination spans 28,000 square kilometers and includes a collection of land areas, lakes, over 90 pristine islands, clear beaches, dormant volcanoes, dunes, and breathtaking mountains, alongside undiscovered historical and cultural sites rich in heritage. By 2030, the destination is expected to have 50 resorts with 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties. The project is anticipated to contribute up to 22 billion riyals annually to the GDP during its full operation phase.

4. King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC):

One of the largest developmental projects in Saudi Arabia, KAEC aims to create an integrated city that combines living, work, and leisure. Located on the Red Sea coast, about 125 kilometers north of Jeddah, the city spans an area of 181 square kilometers. It features a modern design to meet the needs of individuals and families, world-class facilities, and offers promising investment opportunities in various sectors. It also houses King Abdullah Port, one of the largest ports in the Middle East.

5. Smart Riyadh:

Efforts are underway to transform Riyadh into a smart city, aiming to improve quality of life and create greater investment opportunities. The city is advancing its vision through three main projects: the development of digital infrastructure, expanding the use of the Internet of Things (IoT), and implementing smart projects such as the Riyadh Metro.