Kenitra: The Arab Forum on Sustainable and Smart Cities and Arab Building Technology kicked off in Kenitra, Morocco, on Wednesday. The three-day event is organized by Moroccan Ibn Tofail University in partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
According to Qatar News Agency, the agenda features scientific and thematic panel discussions on smart and sustainable cities, as well as the urban context and prospects for development and urban transformation. It likewise focuses on sustainability in the contemporary urban environment, alternating between enduring urban heritage and smart management of resources. Additionally, the forum addresses the role of universities and institutions in qualifying engineering talent in this domain.
The sessions will also address digital transformation and AI applications in urban environments, with a roundtable focusing on sustaining engineer learning in the Arab world. This includes a strategic perspective to unify curriculum standards in the fields of smart cities and green buildings.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Tahami, President of Ibn Tofail University, noted the forum convenes amidst rapid challenges pertinent to urbanization and climate change. He highlighted the overwhelming pressure on resources and infrastructure that necessitates devising Arab development models that are more sustainable and creative, reinforcing integration between urban heritage and cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of the Department of Science and Scientific Research at ALECSO, emphasized that future sustainable and smart cities have become a strategic imperative. He added that the gathering intends to support Arab informative policies aimed at building secure, flexible, and eco-friendly cities.
Director General of the Arab Smart Cities Forum, Eng. Nisreen Namrouqa, stressed the importance of combined Arab efforts to confront challenges facing urban development and achieve sustainable smart transformation.