Three in four people would be happier living in a smart and connected city, stated a new report by Mastercard. The report features insights into human aspirations and technological progress for smart cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Moreover, it reveals that two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050. This highlights the rising popularity of urban living and the importance of ensuring their security, sustainability and inclusivity.
The Mastercard Cities of the Future Report especially covers Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where 76 percent of individuals agree that living in a smart city would make them happier.
In the UAE, 68 percent of respondents agree that living in a smart city would make them happier. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, an overwhelming 75 percent share that sentiment. In Egypt, 82 percent of respondents agree that living in a smart city would make them happier, marking the highest percentage in the three markets.
Smart and connected communities
In the MENA region, smart and connected buildings and homes emerged as the highest priority innovation for 62 percent of respondents in the Mastercard report. Following closely at 61 percent came smart travel services as the second most important priority. Moreover, 58 percent of participants identify artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning as the most important technologies for future cities. Despite that, MENA residents are concerned about becoming less physically active and losing human interaction and traditional jobs.
In the UAE, 61 percent of respondents identified smart and connected buildings and homes as the highest priority innovation. Moreover, reduced human interaction is the top concern, followed by the possibility of becoming less active.
In Saudi Arabia, the Mastercard report revealed that 60 percent of respondents identified smart and connected buildings and homes as the highest priority innovation along with smart travel services. Moreover, 54 percent believe that AI and machine learning are the most important technologies for future cities. However, Saudis shared concerns over losing traditional jobs and traditional cultural connections.
In Egypt, 65 percent of respondents identified smart and connected buildings and homes as their highest-priority innovation along with AI-driven services, manufacturing, transport and medicine. Respondents in Egypt also identified the loss of traditional jobs and becoming less physically active as concerns.
Increased sustainability
The Mastercard report also revealed that public awareness of the need for climate action is high in the MENA region. Hence, 59 percent of participants stated that smart solutions to transform to clean and renewable energy are a top priority. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, 85 percent of respondents believe their cities are ‘maturing’ or ‘mature enough’.
In the UAE, public awareness of climate action remains high, particularly following COP28. Moreover, smart solutions to move to clean and renewable energy were a top priority for 60 percent of participants. Meanwhile, 56 percent of participants in Saudi Arabia shared that sentiment. Meanwhile, 85 percent of them believed their cities were ‘maturing’ or ‘mature enough’.
In Egypt, the Mastercard report revealed that smart and secure payment networks and modern and efficient transportation emerged as a top priority for 63 percent of participants. Meanwhile, 68 percent believe that their cities are ‘maturing’ or ‘mature enough’.
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Digital services
The Mastercard report highlighted the importance of digitization for MENA residents. Participants stated that they would like to see digitization make their living environments, workplaces, and payment experiences more efficient. Digital access to services like banking, utilities and transportation emerged as a top priority for 59 percent of participants. Besides, strong privacy and secure personal data were a priority for 58 percent of participants. Furthermore, 53 percent cited the importance of having a single digital platform that integrates all services and information.
In the UAE, the Mastercard report revealed that strong privacy and secure personal data emerged as a top priority for 58 percent of participants. Notably, environmental sustainability was a top priority for 52 percent of UAE residents while digital access to services like utilities, licensing, banking, and transportation is important for 57 percent of residents.
In Saudi Arabia, digital access to services emerged as a top priority for 55 percent of participants. Moreover, a single digital platform for services and information was equally as important. For example, visitors to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) can use a super-app, currently under development, to personalize their experience. Commenting on the app, Ramez Alfayez, CIO, KAFD DMC said: “It aims to provide a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters social interaction, cultural exchange, and economic growth – and technology plays a critical role in enabling related services.”
In Egypt, the Mastercard report revealed that digital access to services and strong privacy and secure personal data emerged as top priorities for 63 percent and 62 percent of participants, respectively.
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