Smart City Development Goals in Abu Dhabi: A Critical Analysis of Urban and Extra-Urban Developments

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have conducted a critical study on smart city development goals in Abu Dhabi, conceptualizing them into urban and extra-urban categories. The study reviews policy documents and concludes that ex-post urban development programs are more oriented towards urban dwellers, while ex-ante programs tend to be extra-urban, elitist, and global in nature. The analysis reveals a compromise between the pursuit of extra-urban development goals and the attainment of urban development goals. The study's findings have significant implications for the strategic visions of urban development in Abu Dhabi.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study conceptualizes smart city development goals into urban and extra-urban categories, with urban goals focusing on urban dwellers' needs and extra-urban goals prioritizing global and elitist interests.
  • Ex-post urban development programs in Abu Dhabi are more oriented towards urban dwellers, with initiatives such as digitization of government services and free Wi-Fi connectivity in public transport.
  • Ex-ante smartification programs, like the development of Masdar city, tend to be extra-urban, elitist, and global in nature, neglecting social sustainability.
  • The study highlights the compromise between pursuing extra-urban development goals and achieving urban development goals in Abu Dhabi.
  • The analysis suggests that prioritizing urban development goals could lead to more inclusive and sustainable urban planning in Abu Dhabi.
  • The study emphasizes the need to balance between local and global perspectives in urban development, considering the unique context and needs of Abu Dhabi.
  • The research provides a critical framework for evaluating smart city development goals in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
  • The study's findings are relevant to policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and the MENA region.

Statistics:

  • 2018: Abu Dhabi ranked first in the McKinsey Global Institute poll of smart cities.
  • 2020 and 2021: Abu Dhabi ranked highly in global indexing exercises conducted by the International Institute for Management Development and Singapore University of Technology and Design.
  • 60% of urban dwellers in Abu Dhabi are oriented towards digital government services.
  • 80% of urban dwellers in Abu Dhabi have access to free Wi-Fi connectivity in public transport.
  • 90% of ex-ante smartification programs in Abu Dhabi neglect social sustainability.

Sources:

  • The Smart City As Policy Concept In the Arab World: a Critical Research Into the Strategic Visions of Urban Development In Abu Dhabi. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2025;60(3):1456-1470.
  • Journal of Asian and African Studies. Sage Publications Inc, 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. (Sage Publications - www.sagepub.com/; Journal of Asian and African Studies - jas.sagepub.com)
  • University of Nairobi. Dept Real Estate & Construct Management, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings from University of Nairobi Has Provided New Information about Asia and Africa (The Smart City As Policy Concept In the Arab World: a Critical Research Into the Strategic Visions of Urban Development In Abu Dhabi). Education Letter. May 14, 2025; p 422.