Page 46 - 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

Reducing GHG emissions
The use of ICTs to reduce city GHG emissions, requires the definition of integrated policies and the
analysis of impacts of ICT-based projects. The transport and building sector, are among the major
contributors of GHG emissions in all major cities of the world. Aspiring smart cities should continue
working on the analysis of energy consumption and emissions generation sources in order to
identify opportunities for reduction using ICTs. This will help propagate the importance of the issue
in the global sustainability agenda and assist in bringing down the associated management costs
in the building and transport sector.

Cities’ environmental performance

To better evaluate environmental aspects, cities should also examine their environmental
performance together with a joint evaluation of the environmental KPIs included in the
infrastructure dimension of the KPIs given in ITU-T Y.4901/L.1601 and ITU-T Y.4902/L.1602. An
analysis of city infrastructure and its impact on urban environmental quality should be carried out.
This will lead to a better understanding of the key environmental challenges of the city and to the
identification of new innovation opportunities that could enhance the use of ICTs for
environmental sustainability.

The New Urban Agenda
The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) was
held from 17 to 20 October 2016 in Quito Ecuador. The Habitat III successfully concluded with the
adoption of the New Urban Agenda. This New Urban Agenda is expected to serve as the de-facto
urbanization guide for the years to come. After much deliberation, given the potential of ICTs in
driving urbanization, the concept of “smart cities” was duly included in the New Urban Agenda.
Cities wishing to transition to a “smart” and “sustainable” city are called to abide by the guidelines
and concepts set forth by the New Urban Agenda to ensure that urbanization targets for the next
20 years are met.

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