The UAE's Smart City Vision: A Boon for the Glass Industry
The UAE, as classy as it sounds - the infrastructure, standard of living, economy and vision to be at the forefront of technological advancements have always caught the attention of the world.
The region's aim to become a smart city has been a driving force behind its rapid growth and development - for a better future. But first let us understand what a smart city is and how UAE wants to achieve this through its experience and expertise.
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So, a smart city is a place where people live and use the latest technologies and innovations, smart technologies and data analysis to communicate with each other - optimizing functions and overall economic growth. According to the 2021 report, the UAE ranked at the top in the Middle East in the 2021 edition of the Global Innovation Index - and this shouldn't be surprising as it has always strived to adapt latest technology in almost all its sectors. Likewise, the glass industry - both flat and container glass has experienced significant growth, with the demand for high-tech glass products soaring whether they are glass coatings, glass smart screens, windows, barications, glass walls or decoratives like tableware, interior designs, appliance and electronics, cutleries and many other stuffs made of glasses.
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Smart cities are built on the foundation of technology and innovative vision- as good as the lines seems, it is fairly critical to understand how glasses play vital role in it. Let's find out!
Glass - an essential component in the construction of modern infrastructure is known to everyone of us, reason being we have always seen glasses around us, in different forms. UAE, being the region of advancing technologies and breakthroughs have popularized its use to save energy and promote sustainability and how can we forget, durability, and aesthetic appeal. With that being said - the region's emphasis on sustainability so that the present generations can reap benefits without compromising the future ones, it's approach towards green living and because of these reasons, the use of energy-efficient glass has become a necessity!
Now, if you are thinking of what all projects have UAE's keen investments - we'll be giving you exact same information.
To let you know, Emirates has invested huge amounts in the development of smart cities, with several major projects underway. Some of them are as follows:
Masdar City: With it's inception in 2008, the project visions for Abu Dhabi as a city of future. It is completed and is the first sustainable city of the world. Most of the works have been completed and the ones that remain is ongoing. The goal is simple yet innovative - to become world's most sustainable and eco-friendly city in the world. The city project amalgamates ancient architectures with modernism and stylish glass build infrastructures.
If we go by statistics, more than 50% of the world's population lives in cities with an anticipation that by 2050 this percentage will rise to 70%, according to the United Nations. AL-MUNTADA, a knowledge space at the Masdar City - using the latest technology of smart glass from in its construction, the building will make its visitor's experience unique luxurious feel with its ambience which is made with beautiful glass, using both flat and container glass.
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Dubai's Smart City: Dubai's smart city project - announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2014, he paved way for new challenges that would lead way to new global technological advancements. This smart city project embraces a strategical approach that calls for the transformation of about 1000+ government services which focus on six key sectors namely: transportation, infrastructure, communications, economic services, urban planning and electricity - that will facilitate residents with everything new and technologically driven. Glass industry being major interest area and ofcourse because it caters to majority of the needs in Dubai's Smart City Project, it is one of the most developed and focus area of most investors.
Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030: Considered the roadmap for the Emirates economic progress, this particular Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030. The economic strategies of this vision identifies the pharmaceutical industry as a development priority. These development plans leverage glass bottle packaging for the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the policymakers announced plans to establish itself as a global hub for various international pharmaceutical companies to advance and double the number of manufacturing sites in the forthcoming year.
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan: With a tagline of "a clear vision for the development of Dubai's urban infrastructure and housing sector until 2040", this plan was announced for the first time on March 2021. This innovative vision lays a very comprehensive pathway for a sustainable urban development of the city with a focus area of using available spaces and concentrating development in existing urban areas with latest designs, architects and glossy finishings.
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So, now you know what is the significance of these projects in the glass industry and how the industry is contributing towards its success and beautification. Being functional in UAE - which is dry and arid, these projects demand the use of innovative glass technologies that can withstand the extreme heat and desert conditions of the region. Aligned with the thoughts and wants of the modern architectural needs - the glass industry has responded to this need by developing new types of glass, such as low-emissivity glass, solar control glass, and self-cleaning glass.
In essence, we see that the use of glass in smart cities goes beyond aesthetics and energy efficiency. We also noticed that glass add so much to a visual appearance of a building and to its ambience. It is also an integral part of smart infrastructure, such as traffic management systems, security cameras, and information displays. With the UAE's emphasis on technology and innovation, the demand for smart glass products is expected to grow further.
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To conclude, the UAE's smart city vision has been a boon for the glass industry, with the demand for high-tech glass products soaring everyday with new designs and solutions. The region's commitment to smart infrastructure and technology is expected to drive further growth in the glass industry, making it an exciting time for this sector in the UAE.