Investing in Infrastructure for Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia
In a panel discussion at the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti emphasized the crucial role of infrastructure investment in fostering sustainable development and smart cities in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Mushaiti highlighted the importance of practical steps, collaboration with government entities, and transparency in overcoming obstacles to infrastructure development. He stressed the significance of sustainable development for economic growth and the need for environmental protection in agricultural and food advancement.
The deputy minister pointed out the challenges of high infrastructure costs and lengthy construction processes, noting that sustainable management could convert environmental burdens into revenues by 2035. He also mentioned the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its focus on enhancing infrastructure sustainability across environmental, social, and economic domains.
Technological innovations were highlighted as key to providing job opportunities, improving urban landscapes, and achieving spending efficiency in infrastructure projects.
During the Saudi Infrastructure Summit, experts discussed the vital role of infrastructure management in smart city operations. Mohammed Binhijna, Head of Smart Cities at the Eastern Province Municipality, emphasized the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems and data analytics to optimize resource allocation and enhance public safety.
Binhijna shared insights on smart city operations during a session at the Smart Cities Saudi Expo, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement, data analysis, and key performance indicators in measuring a city’s sustainability and efficiency.
Public-private partnerships were highlighted as essential for successful smart city development, with a focus on collaborative navigation and efficient management across diverse stakeholders. Fabian Sowieja, Technical Director of International IoT Communication Technologies at Arrowfinch Technologies, emphasized the key role of partnerships in driving smart city initiatives forward.