Co-create to innovate: a smarter way to sustainable cities

Siemens is playing a key role in Dubai’s efforts to create a smart city of the future

For over 160 years World Fairs have previewed innovations that have shaped our lives. Much of the technology we take for granted today – touchscreens and color television for example – were first unveiled to the public at an Expo. Our company founder, Werner von Siemens, revealed his new pointer telegraph at the inaugural fair in London in 1851. This innovation played an instrumental role in his company’s business in the Middle East and in revolutionizing international communications. It seemed fitting then, that on my recent visit to the Expo 2020 Dubai site I had my own preview experience of a future city, as imagined by the Expo. And unlike the cities we know today, it will be supported by a completely digitalized infrastructure.

Infrastructure plays a pivotal role in economic competitiveness and quality of life. Yet many cities’ infrastructure systems are under pressure from rising demand for energy and water, and the negative effects of urbanization, such as congestion and air pollution. If humanity is to tackle big challenges like population growth and climate change, cities will need to place sustainability at their core. That is why the themes of Exp 2020, sustainability, opportunity and mobility are so timely.

City dwellers are all too familiar with the stresses of city living – increasing traffic, noise and pollution. Digitalization can help us tackle the negative impacts of urbanization. When we combine data with digital technologies like AI, machine learning, simulation software, and automation, we can create intelligent and responsive systems that optimize performance and resource use. According to a McKinsey study, smart city applications could reduce emissions by 10-20 percent, lower water consumption by 20-30 percent and cut commuting times by 15-20 percent. But many cities have yet to implement technologies that offer the most potential.[1]

This is what will make Expo 2020 Dubai so different from any world fair before it. More than just a platform for showcasing innovative technology, the infrastructure itself will be a step forward in digital cities. During my visit, a first building of the Expo site was connected to the Internet of Things via an app co-created by Siemens and Expo 2020 Dubai. Currently in test phase at the site office building, the cloud-based app incorporates environmental monitoring and smart irrigation, and will eventually be scaled up to digitalize the full Expo ecosystem.