Page 109 - Connecting cities and communities with the Sustainable Development Goals

United for Smart Sustainable Cities
Connecting cities and communities with the Sustainable Development Goals

Smart Dubai Platform complemented by Dubai Data initiative: Dubai's vision is contingent upon the free
flow of information. Data and information will be the "new currency" by which its citizens, residents,
businesses and Government will exchange value and develop new and innovative ways to live, learn and do
business in a culture of data sharing.
The Dubai Data initiative has set 11 strategic objectives towards creating a culture of data sharing and
innovation as indicated below:
1. Enable Dubai to achieve its smart-city vision of becoming the happiest city.
2. Manage data based on clear guidelines aligned with international best practices.
3. Achieve integration and harmony between the services provided by federal government agencies
and local government bodies.
4. Optimise the use of data for data providers.
5. Promote transparency and establish governance rules on the dissemination and exchange of data.

6. Increase efficiency of services provided by federal and local government entities, in terms of: level
of quality, speed of delivery, simplification of procedures and reduced operational costs.
7. Increase the competitiveness of data providers and raise the standing of Dubai and UAE on
international competitiveness indices.
8. Improve decision making at federal and local levels to enable agencies to effectively process data,
prepare policies and implement strategic initiatives.
9. Encourage and nurture a culture of innovation that will lead to a better quality of life for residents
and visitors.
10. Balance the dissemination and exchange of data with preservation of data confidentiality and
privacy.
11. Provide the necessary data for non-governmental actors in order to support the economic and
development plans of the emirate.

The overarching goal of the Dubai Data initiative is not to publish the most data for the city; but rather to
unleash the greatest value from data to enhance access to opportunities and to improve quality of life in
Dubai. The Dubai Data initiative is committed to developing an advanced knowledge ecosystem around data
in Dubai, elevating data analysis and data science abilities for the public and private sectors, and unlocking
the greatest possible value from Dubai data.
Dubai Data Law, Dubai Data policies, Dubai Data standards and SDP are key building blocks (enablers)
addressing various data-related issues to ensure the success of the Dubai Data initiative. ICT is naturally at
the heart of the Dubai Data initiative. The Dubai Data Portal, an electronic portal managed by the Dubai Data
Establishment and operated on the SDP, will be the city’s gateway as the unified electronic platform to open
and share data. This portal is designed to include key enabling tools that allow users to directly benefit from
data such as: dashboards and analytical tools, an open and shared city data catalogue and a real-time app
environment.

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