The Al Madinah Region Development Authority offers a way forward for an ancient city, as human-centricity takes centre stage
Al Madinah – a city steeped in rich religious, cultural and historical significance, is embarking on a transformative journey, one that blends its illustrious past with the latest innovations in technology. This has been achieved by ensuring the essence of the city remains intact. This involves many different facets, but central is the humanisation of the city.
The organisation responsible for this transformative work is the Al Madinah Region Development Authority. The authority has devised a smart city plan that focuses on key areas such as wellbeing, tourism, environment and mobility, aiming to create a city that caters to both the spiritual and practical needs of its population. The plan is testament to how technology can be used to enhance the human experience, ensuring the city’s growth is in sync with the needs and aspirations of its people.
That synergy is ensured through the consultation and collaboration with the city’s inhabitants. Through workshops and focus groups, the thoughts and concerns of citizens and visitors are heard, playing a central role in the shaping of Al Madinah.
Defining the personas that inhabit the city
One of the central innovative approaches taken by the Al Madinah Smart City programme is the development of a human-centric model that defines the various personas that inhabit the city. This approach – which has led to the creation of over 147 ‘journeys’, helps the city to understand and cater to the diverse needs of its residents and those visiting the city. By focusing on the people who live and visit Al Madinah, the programme ensures that technology serves them rather than dictating their experiences.
Further to this, the human-centric approach has influenced the way technology vendors operate within the city. Instead of offering pre-designed solutions, vendors are now required to tailor their offerings to meet the specific needs identified by the city. This shift has led to more customised and effective technological solutions that are better aligned with the city’s goals.
The utilisation of technology in Al Madinah is not just about adopting the latest tools but about ensuring these tools serve a greater purpose. The Smart City (Raseel) platform, for example, is built on open-source technologies, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptation. This platform has already enabled the development and installation of Smart Streetlights, using the emerging LORA technology. These street lights are connected across the city, creating a network that is more efficient, stable and cost-effective.
Embracing the sustainability challenge
As is the case across the world of business in the modern age, sustainability is a core focus of the Smart City initiative. The Manarah data platform plays a crucial role in this, streamlining and standardising data across various government entities. This standardisation allows the city to benchmark its services against global standards and align its projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The platform provides insights that help the city optimise its resources, whether in healthcare or disaster management, ensuring that Al Madinah remains sustainable and resilient in the face of future challenges.
In conclusion, Al Madinah‘s journey to becoming a Human-centered Smart, Sustainable City is a remarkable example of how an ancient city can embrace modern technology without losing sight of its heritage. The city’s commitment to human-centricity, sustainability and innovation demonstrates that progress and tradition can coexist, creating a future that honours the past while looking forward.
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