Page 72 - Enhancing innovation and participation in smart sustainable cities

United for Smart Sustainable Cities
Enhancing Innovation and Participation

Figure 13 Global interest in blockchain

Finally, Dubai’s adoption of blockchain technology at a citywide scale comes at a time when the technology is
increasingly being recognized as the ultimate trust machine. Blockchain eliminates the need for trusted third
parties in transactions, an attribute which would contribute significantly to simplifying Dubai Government’s
evolving processes. The adoption of blockchain technology applies to the smart governance, smart economy and
smart people areas of the U4SSC as the next sections will showcase.

2 The smart project(s)

2.1 Vision and content

While governments around the world are cautiously exploring a few blockchain applications of their own, Dubai
is the first city that has the vision to fully explore the potential of this innovative and rapidly evolving technology
on a citywide scale.

In October 2016, Dubai launched a citywide blockchain strategy with the objective of becoming the first blockchain
powered city, driving the future economy by 2020. This ambition sees the Dubai Government leading innovation
and building the enabling ecosystem for it to thrive in both the public and private sectors.
The blockchain strategy is based on three pillars (Figure 13):
(i) Government efficiency: Implement blockchain technology in applicable government services.
(ii) Industry creation: Support the creation of a blockchain industry through the provision of an enabling
ecosystem that empowers start-ups and businesses.
(iii) Local and international thought leadership: Lead the global thinking on blockchain technology and
become the hub for blockchain intellectual capital and skill development.

70 U4SSC series