stc to revolutionize urban living through innovative technologies for smart cities

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has led to its integration into various sectors, such as banking, healthcare, real estate, and defense. As we enter a new world driven by artificial intelligence, it is crucial to adapt and position ourselves accordingly. Although we are still in the early stages of this technology, we can expect significant benefits and improvements in multiple areas of our lifestyle and societal activities. The potential of AI is vast, and as we continue to explore its capabilities, we will witness remarkable advancements that will transform how we live and work.

With the increasing complexity and density of urban areas, the demand for sustainable and smart urban development is increasing, fueled by the swift advancement of technology. A city can be deemed smart when it effectively integrates digital solutions and technology into its processes. The number of smart technologies present in a city does not define it as smart, but rather how they are employed to impact its citizens and foster economic growth positively.

According to World Bank data, over 56% of the global populace, about 4.4 billion people, live in urban areas. This trend is expected to increase twofold by 2050, with an estimated 70% of the global population projected to inhabit urban centres.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a region that has witnessed significant urban expansion in recent decades. With a population of approximately 578 million, around 70% of people reside in urban areas (Statista, 2020). This figure is expected to rise further by 2050, making the region one of the most highly urbanized in the world.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's population is officially reported to be over 80% urban. This high concentration of inhabitants living in urban areas has paved the way for significant transformations in our lives. Spearheaded by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative, the country is committed to creating more sustainable, smart, livable environments. This initiative is an example for other nations to follow and aims to set a new standard for urban living.

At the heart of this transformative journey lies a big group strategy aligned with Vision 2030 and poised to redefine the landscape of urban living with ambitious plans for smart cities. stc group's visionary plans for smart cities pave the way for a smarter, sustainable, and more connected future.

The global smart cities market is forecast to nearly double 3.277 million SAR (U.S.D 873.7 billion) by 2026 from 1.7 billion SAR (U.S.D 457 billion) in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. Leading the charge in Saudi Arabia is, among others, stc square, a mega mixed-used project uniquely designed to be a smart community in alignment with the LEED V4 sustainable certificate and developed by AQALAT, stc group’s real estate development arm. In this project, AQALAT adopts the concept of smart development based on integrating innovative technologies for a more interactive and responsive city administration, improved water supply, smart vehicles and parking systems, integrated security systems, innovative urban transport networks, waste management, and many more.

Implementing digital and data-driven technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), big data analytics, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) is intended to enhance the socio-economic potential of this project and improve daily life. iot squared, a subsidiary of stc group and one of the leading technology service providers of IoT solutions for the stc square mega project, offers IoT platforms that leverage the potential of IoT and data analytics for better decision-making in urban planning (waste management and smart street lighting), traffic management (smart parking management and smart mobility) and public safety (disaster management); Also, (AI) platforms that optimize energy usage and water reuse.

Meanwhile, the stc group’s subsidiary, solutions by stc, facilitates the distribution of ICT services to enable smart cites and smart projects, aiming for reduced costs and an accelerated journey towards the future. Through an extensive partner ecosystem, the subsidiary aims to connect smart mobility platforms into ecosystems instead of current standalone solutions. These include ITM (intelligent transportation and mobility) solutions integrating advanced technologies into transportation infrastructure and vehicles. It facilitates real-time data analysis, traffic management, and improved transportation logistics. It also includes Digital Twin technology that enables real-time data of utility systems like water, electricity, and gas to be processed and synthesized almost immediately to provide valuable insights about the city's performance. Moreover, smart tourist destination approaches aim to improve the tourist experience's efficiency while 5G Smart Pole, Smart Unmanned Vehicle and Interactive Crossing deliver the most advanced end-to-end solutions and managed services to be safe and effective.

These pioneering companies are at the forefront of the smart city revolution. They offer cutting-edge solutions that empower cities to transform into more efficient, sustainable and inclusive communities where people can thrive. Given the successful progress of Phase I and market demand, stc square arranged to fast-track the construction of project Phase II to take advantage of this high demand.

The journey of stc group, an engine of digital transformation in the region, toward contributing to the development of smart cities is a testament to innovation and prosperity as it continues to develop the quality of life for Saudi citizens and establish the Kingdom as a global leader in technology and sustainability.