25 April 2025, Fri |
7:31 AM
Regional experts gathered at the Smart Building Summit, part of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, to discuss the transformative impact of data integration and urban planning in smart city development. The engaging panel, titled ‘Unveiling the Latest Smart Building Trends – A Global and Regional Perspective,’ delved into the role of intelligent buildings in shaping the future of the built environment.
Maher Al Kaabi, Independent Board Member of Al Serkal Group and Member of the UAE Circular Economy Council, emphasized the importance of combining urban planning with smart buildings. He said, “Creating digital twins allows us to evaluate the effects of traffic, CO2 emissions, methane emissions, and other factors, providing insights for managing the entire ecosystem of the community. Once we achieve an optimal design, we can implement it in the physical world.”
The panel underscored the critical role of data management in the success of smart buildings and cities. They highlighted Dubai Municipality’s initiatives, including Al Sa’fat and Dubai 4D—an advanced system designed for long-term building monitoring.
Ayeda Abdulla, Project Management Team Leader at Dubai Municipality, explained, “For Dubai 4D, sensors on buildings measure temperature, energy consumption, tilting, and other variables. The system is connected to civil defence, Dubai police, and building alarm systems. This data allows us to analyze whether issues are related to the surrounding area, building materials, or occupancy, helping us plan and maintain buildings more effectively.”
The session also featured industry projections, compliance challenges, and innovations driving the future of intelligent buildings. Experts explored how these trends align with the MENA region’s sustainability and urban development priorities.
The summit also included a panel on ‘Cybersecurity in Smart Buildings,’ moderated by Dr. Hossam Elshenraki, Professor of Cyber Crime Investigation at Dubai Police Academy. Experts from Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Serkal Group, and AtkinsRéalis discussed emerging cyber threats and strategies for safeguarding cyber-physical systems.
Additional highlights included sessions on ‘The ROI of a Smart Building’ presented by Dr. Matthew Marson, Managing Director of Technology Advisory at JLL, and ‘Building Green and Intelligent Cities of Tomorrow’ with speakers from the World Green Building Council, Cundall, and AESG.
Today’s highlights at the Smart Building Summit include a panel on ‘The Role of Digital Twins and Circular Economy in Smart Building Innovation’ and a presentation on ‘Lighting Design for Smart Buildings’ by Eng. Roaa Al Khatib, Chief Lightovation Officer & Specifications Engineer, Government Entity.
Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, co-located with Intersec, is the MENA region’s largest trade fair for the building services sector. The event runs from 14-16 January at Za’abeel Halls 1-4.
