Page 24 - Implementing ITU-T International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities: The Case of Dubai

Implementing ITU-T International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities – The Case of Dubai

Methodology used in the Dubai case study

Dubai has an established assessment framework to measure the impact of the use of
information and communication technologies within the Emirate. Within this framework, Dubai
has initially utilized the Smart Sustainable Cities KPIs contained in ITU-T’s Recommendations
ITU-T Y.4901/L.1601 and ITU-T Y.4902/L.1602 to evaluate the implementation of their smart city
initiatives.

The smart sustainable cities KPIs pilot project implemented by ITU in Dubai included the KPI
collection process and its subsequent assessment and verification. These steps are incorporated
in the ITU Smart Sustainable City KPI Collection process (as described in Figure 7).

Figure 7 – ITU SSC KPI Collection Process contained in ITU-T Y.4901/L.1601 and
ITU-T Y.4902/L.1602

2. Internal
1. ITU KPIs KPI analysis 3. Data 4. ITU SSC 5. ITU KPI 6. Data 7. ITU
collection & collection for KPIs
request identification KPIs reporting Assessment verification evaluation
of sources

The lessons learned and the insights gained during the SSC KPI collection process in Dubai, have
been instrumental in the drafting of a methodological guide, which provides instructions on how
the process could be replicated for the KPI data collection in other cities around the world.

3.3.1. Dubai’s data collection and reporting process for Key Performance Indicators
The process of KPI collection in Dubai was facilitated by Smart Dubai and consisted of the
following activities:
(i) Coordination and gathering of data by different entities

Smart Dubai coordinated the data collection process, organized the analysis of the scope and
applicability of KPIs with each of the collaborating entities, and delivered the formal request for
collecting the data to them. Prior to this process, an analysis of the synergies between Smart
Sustainable Cities KPI Dimensions contained in ITU-T Y.4901/L.1601 and ITU-T Y.4902/L.1602
and Smart Dubai dimensions was carried out between ITU and Smart Dubai. The results of this
comparative analysis are described in Table 3.

Table 3 – ITU SSC KPIs dimensions analysis for Dubai

ITU Dimension (s) Dubai Dimension (s)
1) Information & Communication Technologies 1) Smart ICT Infrastructure
2) Environmental sustainability 2) Smart Environment
3) Productivity 3) Smart Economy
4) Equity and social inclusion 4) Smart Governance
5) Quality of life 5) Smart Living
- 6) Smart People
6) Physical infrastructure 7) Smart Infrastructure and Mobility

Smart Dubai informed the various entities and departments that they would be involved or
impacted by data collection process. In addition, interactive discussions were held during the
months of August and September 2015 to facilitate an understanding of the KPIs and the
collection process. As a result, the study identified the need to define the scope of the
assessment boundaries, and to give consideration to basic characteristics of the city, such as
inhabitants, geographical boundaries, etc.

14