During his opening speech at the first Saudi Smart Cities Conference yesterday, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Engineer Abdullatif bin Abdulmalik Al Sheikh revealed that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has started forming partnerships to implement smart city projects for 10 cities in the Kingdom, to achieve one of the most important objectives of the Municipal Transformation Program 2020.

<Al-Sheikh revealed that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has adopted the ”Smart Cities Components Study” project, which aims to achieve a high degree of sustainable urbanization, implement smart and pioneering infrastructure projects and public facilities, and create self-sufficient urban environments with a high quality of life. He pointed out that the application of smart city concepts will contribute to enriching living conditions and well-being throughout the Kingdom, attracting local and international investments and helping to make a qualitative leap for the Kingdom's cities and increase their competitiveness.

Elements of smart cities include The elements of smart cities include transportation systems, traffic lights, security and protection services, parks and pedestrian walkways with smart communication, smart networks for rainwater drainage and flood risk prevention, the use of smart lighting for streets and roads to save energy, and waste recycling monitoring systems.

Elements of smart cities include transportation systems, traffic lights, security and protection services, parks and pedestrian walkways with smart communication, smart networks for rainwater drainage and flood risk prevention, the use of smart lighting for streets and roads to save energy, and waste recycling monitoring systems.