Dubai, UAE — Cities of the future won’t simply be smart — they will be human, sustainable, resilient and intentionally designed to last. This vision took center stage at CARE MENA 2025 during the panel “Smart Cities: Building Sustainable, Smart, and Inclusive Urban Ecosystems.” The session revealed how the region is shifting from high-level planning to real, on-the-ground execution as it reimagines the urban landscapes of tomorrow.
Experts Redefining Urban Transformation
The conversation brought together leading voices shaping next-generation cities:
- Ghaith Tibi — Associate Urban Planner & ME Sustainability & Climate Leader, Arup
- Eng. Ahmed Elbermbali — Sustainability Director (Middle East, Caspian & Africa), Bureau Veritas
- Sri Saiteja Annareddy — CEO & Founder, Cero Hero
Moderated by Marina Bird, Managing Director of ESG News, the panel explored how smart cities must integrate technology, sustainability, and inclusivity to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
From Vision to Implementation: How Smart Cities Come to Life
Speakers shared the practical strategies behind climate-ready, people-first urban development, including:
- Climate-informed master planning that strengthens long-term resilience
- People-centered design focused on accessibility, equity and community well-being
- Sustainable infrastructure systems aligned with net-zero goals
- AI-powered and data-driven city operations
- Green mobility and low-carbon transport networks
- Circular resource systems that reduce waste and protect natural ecosystems
- Tech-enabled public services improving quality of life at scale
The panel emphasized that smart cities are not built on technology alone — they are built on vision, policy, collaboration and the commitment to create urban environments where people and nature can thrive.
A New Blueprint for the Region’s Future Cities
The session reinforced a key shift: the region is moving beyond conceptual smart city models toward actionable strategies that balance growth, livability and environmental responsibility.
As CARE 2025 continues, the discussions highlight the transformational work underway across the Middle East to build cities that are not only intelligent — but inclusive, resilient and future-ready.
More live updates coming from #CARE2025.
Learn more: careforsustainability.com/mena
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