Dubai to Sidewalk line

When it was born my interest in studying the phenomena occurring in cities and efforts were being made in different parts of the world to consolidate the urban system as the main actor in economic development and the territory where the main global problems will be solved; I met the budding (in those years) model smart cities and debate among them the most important weight in the technology sector, citizen participation or the government sector.

In different cities of the ecosystem of smart cities is more or less participation of each of the sectors; you know the soul of each one of them it became part of my agenda. Dubai was on the agenda and in the month of February 2016 came his appointment.

One idea remained present throughout the stay, was the one who transmitted to us the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Dubai to the Mexican delegation that made the trip on the first objective of Shaikh for the people of United Arab Emirates (UAE), "UAE residents should be happy, innovative and have a good job", especially as subjective and individual concept of happiness.

In a city where it is concentrated along with Abu Dhabi, 66% of all cranes in the world, it seems difficult to find a space for happiness and innovation, even if for employment. However in construction is visible innovation, "land from the sea beat anyone does, win them creatively us apart."

Construction in Dubai never stops.

Innovation is present in every action that takes place for a couple of decades ago in Dubai and is seen as adding to the recipe economic resources the results are all too visible and known worldwide. What has made the great players of the technological world today have a presence in Dubai Internet City; where we found Oracle, Microsoft, Google, etc. There is also a very interesting technological enterprises based on mobile services market.

Dubai Internet City

In a city of both the model where economic success and prosperity go hand in hand auto appreciated; unlike many European and some American cities where the subway is the means of transport and meeting all economic sectors present; the private car is the preferred means of transport for those with greater purchasing power, as evidenced by the large number of luxury cars seen in the roads and in the showrooms. Power drive a car in the city is not just a matter of buying power, the process for obtaining a driver's license required to spend many hours.

On the other hand, the public transport system of Dubai is very complete; integrated metro, tram, buses, suburban buses, taxi, miscellaneous water transport, parking, etc.

Ciclopuertos access to metro.

The subway runs along the main avenue of Dubai.

The metro has modern facilities, facilities and signage for people with disabilities, separate for women and men wagons, a VIP car, the best air conditioning in town, parking at stations on the outskirts of the city, integration with the airport a system of payments for travel or periods of time. Another role of the infrastructure of the metro system in the city which shows an area of ​​opportunity for accessibility is that in several parts of the city only through its escalators and corridors can cross the Zeikh Zayed Road, the main the city that runs parallel to the coast.

Guidelines for visually impaired in the subway.

In the route of the bus routes you can be found the famous bus stops that have been around the world arousing the envy of many users of this type of transport in many systems in the world, especially by providing Internet access and air conditioning.

Bus stops on routes of public transport.

In many parts of the city ciclopuertos they are in subway stations and on city buses; It shows that in traditional areas are being devoted space to bike lanes while in the new areas are part of the growth of the city. It has presence in the city with bike sharing system Byky, especially in the heart of the commercial and tourist area.

Bicycle lanes on sidewalks

the system Byky station in the beach area.

However an area of ​​opportunity in the accessibility of the city, is evident when the pedestrian mode is exercised, because although in certain isolated areas of the city there are sidewalks that envy many cities around the world, these are urban oasis that can be found only in certain areas of the city. In general many destinations are connected through transport services but move between those who are within walking distance can become an ordeal due to lack of sidewalks and roads for cars. Perhaps few people walk in the city due to the high temperatures there most of the year, however this possibility must always be present.

Andador ending in the bar containment Avenue

Dubai is working on other technological components Smarcity models: energy, water, environment friendly construction, security, emergency care, etc; systems that generate millions of data are analyzed to better manage the city. In a regime that is not democratic beckon citizen participation mechanisms that are being built and evaluation of happiness through the meters that have been placed in buildings that provide public services.

Dubai is preparing to host the World's Fair in 2020, probably by that date, will have many other spectacular things to show that they are building now. It will be a pleasure to walk again the streets and discover that it is a city that you can also enjoy sidewalk level.


** Juan Manuel Cancino Pérez, territorial intelligence consultant and co-founder SIGPOT SA de CV; promoting innovation ecosystems; student of models that successful cities, their representation, analysis and simulation through Geographic Information Systems; It belongs to the group of Expert Advisors Medellin Urban Group.