Government body collaborates with U.S. Smart Cities Council to create awareness on latest criteria

Dubai, UAE, April 22 2015 - Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), the educational arm of Dubai Land Department (DLD,  has announced that it will be organising a smart cities readiness workshop geared for interested parties working in Dubai's real estate sector. Titled 'Building a Roadmap to a Smarter City,' the training initiative has been formulated in conjunction with the U.S. Smart Cities Council and is scheduled to take place at DLD on April 26-27.

"Smart cities and sustainability are now the primary concerns for those in charge of real estate and urban development around the world. Combined together, the smart city and sustainability approaches meet the needs of the people and address their aspirations to live in communities that secure their health, protect the environment and at the same time provide them with luxury, comfort and technology," said HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General, DLD.

The focus of DLD's workshop will be on the international standards and regulatory developments that relate to smart cities, with the training expected to appeal to real estate specialists who are keen to ensure their organisations follow the latest developments in this area. Leading the programme will be Dr. Subramanian Vadari, a specialist in the subject, who will be accompanied by a number of other international experts. In devising the workshop, DREI collaborated with the Smart Cities Council, an organisation based in Redmond, USA, which provides advice to the public and private sectors on how to best develop smart and sustainable cities.

DLD's workshop will provide a full understanding of what constitutes a smart city and how its various components work together synergistically. The course will identify the benefits of smart cities to governments and citizens and conceptualise a framework that to create a holistic vision that spans all departments. It will introduce a prioritised roadmap and action plan that will help in the strategic implementation of the various technologies in service of the city's and the country's larger vision.

Mahmoud El-Burai, DREI Director, emphasised that the workshop forms part of the strategic partnership between the Smart Cities Council and the DREI as co-advisors to the Board of Smart Cities in the Middle East. The bodies are cooperating in order to develop a global framework for smart cities, assess the factors that affect them and reveal the success stories in the field of city management from around the world.

"We will be launching several specialised workshops relating to smart cities over the coming months, focusing on their management, infrastructure, energy, government services, health, security and other aspects. We would call all developers and government agencies to consider registering for this workshop because of its significant role in promoting the building of specialised professionals in the field of advanced city management," said Al Burai.

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© Press Release 2015