Smart City is brainchild of Shaikh Mohammed

Shaikh Mohammed, Shaikh Hamdan and other dignitaries during the launch of the Smart Dubai Strategy on Wednesday. — KT photos by Shihab

In 1995, when His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced a “daring project”, where Dubai’s Internet city would be established, many people had not anticipated the changes that would take place in the city. Today, the Internet has become a human right, said Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Chairman of the Higher Committee of Dubai Smart City initiative.

Six months ago, he said, Shaikh Mohammed ordered the project on transforming Dubai into a smart city. “After Shaikh Mohammed’s directives last October, a taskforce was formed and key government entities began to work as a team under the direct supervision of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, to lay down a comprehensive plan to carry out the project as expeditiously as possible.”

This application shows the new image when a smart device is pointed at an old one.

Even before the taskforce commenced work, they found that all the foundations were ready including cyber infrastructure.

“At the time, Shaikh Hamdan told us that Shaikh Mohammed knew exactly where he wanted to reach, and all we had to do was to erect the structure.”

Gergawi said the next stage will be the integration of the systems in all the institutions in terms of technical, technological and service aspects. “This is a tremendous challenge as it will include the integration of the private sector as well.”

“We will consider the rapid technological developments in the world, so that we can absorb and benefit from them directly,” he said.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com

Dubai Police to launch 14 smart services

The Dubai Police will launch 14 smart services in addition to the six existing ones by the second half of 2014, said Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police.

He emphasised the Dubai Police General Command’s keenness on partnerships to provide integrated security services to serve Emiratis and residents. Maj-Gen Al Mazeina referred to the instant response programme — SOS (Save Our Souls) — which provides security support and help to UAE nationals all over the world.

He said people can contact the Dubai Police in cases of emergency at the touch of a button. “This is a high-tech security programme rendered by the Dubai Police. In cases of emergency, people can touch a button in a programme previously installed in their smart phones, which enables Dubai Police to locate the caller and rush to his aid.”

“The SOS has proved to be an effective programme following its dummy run. It helped save lives of a lot of Emiratis and residents here in Dubai,” he said.