“Make the people of my country happy….” This was the message that the ruler of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, had for his government while crafting Dubai’s future and taking it on the roadmap of being a smart city.
There is a firm believe that taking smart initiatives, developing advanced infrastructure and installing scanners and sensors makes a smart city but technology alone is not enough on this road.
“We believe that technology brings solutions, but that is not the end of bringing quality of life. Our vision for the smart city is about making Dubai the happiest city in the world,” said Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, Deputy Director General of the Smart Dubai Executive Committee, which is responsible for transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world in the next three years.
Last year, the Happiness Meter initiative was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum activating the Happiness Meter for 14 government entities. With this, customers can rate their happiness experience while using the government websites, apps or in person, helping in gauging the happiness level in citizens.
One of the steps towards making Dubai a smart city, is to have a smart government. “The Happiness Index Meter helps us to increase customer trust and bettering the government services. We are encouraging our government departments to give the best experience to our citizens by providing facilities online,” explained Marwan Salem Bin Haider, Executive Director of Planning & Development, Dubai Smart Government Department.
Government departments across the spectrum – from RTA and Dubai Police, to the Department of Economic Development – have been investing in smart infrastructure, integrating new technology system and developing social and mobile platforms to make the lives of Dubai citizens easier and happier. “In the economic department, we are looking into regulations and policies to facilitate ecommerce and inviting and encouraging the private sectors and entrepreneurs to innovate,” commented Mohammed Abdulla Shael AlSaadi, CEO, Business Development & Strategy at Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai.
Mohammed Abdullah AlZaffin, Director of IT, Dubai Municipality reiterated that private companies should share their innovations and ideas to help make a better city. He said, “Innovation must come from private companies and entrepreneurs. We have formed an open data committee which is collecting data and will hopefully complete by 2016. The data can be shared to help in integration of services and better our services.”
“This is a golden time for businesses and entrepreneurs. We need developers and customer experience planners to build smart and happy government and hopefully have happy and smart citizens,” concluded Mr Haider.
