Abu Dhabi is exploring "Sponge cities" Urban AI technologies in China
Shanghai, 8 November / WAM / The Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi conducted an official visit to the cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou in the friendly People’s Republic of China, headed by His Excellency Muhammad Ali Al-Sharafa, Chairman of the Department, with the aim of exploring the pioneering Chinese experiences in the fields of urban planning and innovation in smart and sustainable cities, and enhancing municipal cooperation and exchanging development experiences between the two sides.
His Excellency Mohammed Al-Sharafa held a meeting with His Excellency Zhang Xiaohong, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, during which aspects of municipal strategic cooperation were discussed, and the achievements of the two cities in the areas of innovative urban planning and future trends in this field were reviewed.
His Excellency stressed that the visit reflects the Department of Municipalities and Transport’s orientation towards exchanging experiences and openness to distinguished international experiences in the areas of urban development, noting that the pioneering experiences the delegation witnessed in China represent a source of inspiration for applying more innovative and sustainable concepts in Abu Dhabi’s future projects.
He said that the visit provided an important opportunity to learn about the best practices in designing modern cities and how to harmonize local identity with the requirements of urban development, stressing the department’s endeavor to enhance the quality of life by developing integrated and interconnected neighborhoods that provide quality services and interactive spaces that reflect the spirit of local heritage and invest in innovation to serve the community.
The visit of the delegation, which included His Excellency Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, His Excellency Eng. Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Center for Projects and Infrastructure, and His Excellency Rashid Musabah Al Manei, Director General of Al Ain City Municipality, witnessed a series of specialized meetings and discussions, in addition to field tours and technical presentations with senior representatives of government agencies, academic circles, and sector experts, which discussed the latest practices in city development, and strategies for improving the quality of life through smart and sustainable solutions.
The delegation participated in a specialized workshop organized by Tongji University and Tongji Architectural Design Group, one of the most prominent design and consulting institutions in China, which dealt with the integration between the natural environment, infrastructure and means of transportation. The visit also included field tours of the city’s historic waterfront known as “The Bund,” and the “Rockbund” heritage area that was renovated, to study the continuity of urban heritage, and evaluate a similar development on the bank of the Yangpu River.
The delegation also learned about the modular housing systems of Q-Home, one of the leading companies in manufactured building solutions, and the applications of artificial intelligence in energy storage solutions at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Center.
The delegation learned about the latest advanced construction technologies provided by Zivo Technology, which include 3D printing of bridges, infrastructure and public facilities using 60% recycled materials based on digital modeling and automatic printing.
He reviewed the “Sponge Cities” program for rainwater management and reuse, provided by the Reichsand Technology Group, using desert sand and porous technologies with global sustainable standards, at the China Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.
In the city of Hangzhou, the delegation organized a dialogue session with the “100 Architects” Foundation, which dealt with the design of areas, live events in the streets, and public spaces designated for youth, followed by a visit to the “Hangzhou City Planning Exhibition Hall,” where the delegation viewed integrated models of urban planning simulation systems supported by artificial intelligence, which highlight the city’s trends in developing infrastructure, optimal use of land, and renewing neighborhoods in a way that is commensurate with the nature of historical, modern, and smart areas. Both.
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