Page 12 - U4SSC Case study: Circularity to promote local businesses and digitization, June 2020

This is very much in line with the overall vision and strategy of Smart Dubai. In fact, Smart Dubai
strategy explicitly intends to achieve happiness at the city level as a social impact (hence the customer-
focused aspects and customer satisfaction), operational efficiencies as an economic impact (hence
the sharing and expenditures reduction for ICT) and positive environmental impact (hence the
consolidation and reduction in ICT infrastructures). This strategic alignment has been crucial throughout
the implementation of Smart Dubai circular ICT services and infrastructure.

Emerging technologies were highly critical and formed the founding blocks of Smart Dubai circular
ICT services and infrastructure.

Results

The benefits and impact of Smart Dubai circular ICT services and infrastructure can be summarized
as follows:

• Focus on core business: Since Smart Dubai has taken the responsibility of designing, implementing
and operating circular ICT services and infrastructure, Dubai government entities were relieved to
focus on their core businesses and easily adopt 4IR emerging technologies.
• Cost savings through operational efficiencies: A year-long study commissioned by Smart Dubai
has quantified the economic impact of its circular ICT services and infrastructure for the Dubai
Government. A total of USD1.2 billion in savings were achieved in just over a decade. The report
found that the Government of Dubai has saved 5.4 dollars for every 1 dollar spent for its circular
ICT services and infrastructure. This has allowed Smart Dubai to continue its circular approach in
the medium to long term.

Figure 2: Operational Efficiencies Overview

6 Case study: Circularity to promote local businesses and digitization, June 2020