Issue 45: Urban Bloom in Abu Dhabi
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re thinking about the role of multiculturalism in our fast-growing cities – Joseph Dana, Senior Editor
THE BIG TAKE
Urban Bloom in Abu Dhabi
Since 2001, the number of people living in cities has increased from 47 per cent to 55 per cent. By 2050, that number will rise to 68 per cent. The majority of this urban growth will take place in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The way we live is transforming with great speed thanks to increased connectivity, a shifting global labour market, and a vibrant aviation sector. But policy makers, primarily in the West, have been slow to recognise these shifts and craft innovative solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.
Emerging leaders: In the emerging world, countries began drafting policy solutions long ago to address the challenge of accelerating urbanism. This is particularly true in cities like Abu Dhabi, which is hosting the biennial World Urban Forum this week. Organised by the United Nations, the Forum brings together the world’s leading thinkers and policy makers in urbanism. How will Abu Dhabi leave its mark on the international debate?
Unity in urbanism: One theme of the forum this year is multiculturalism in our cities. With people of more than 200 nationalities calling the UAE home, Abu Dhabi has experience in creating a tolerant society. The recipe is actually quite straightforward: invest in public awareness campaigns spearheaded by leaders ready for action. The UAE's Year of Tolerance is a clear example of the type of government commitment needed to entrench deep respect for multiculturalism. Lead by example instead of rhetoric alone.
Urbanism and technology: From food security to parking management, technology plays a positive role in helping our cities deal with the burden of increased populations. Serving as a home to so many different nationalities is a boon for UAE cities. The presence of a multitude of backgrounds makes the urban environment an ideal testing space. Smart city innovation emanating from the UAE is already making its way into urban environments all over the world. The future is urban, technology-driven, and multicultural. Just go for a walk in Abu Dhabi and see for yourself.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create but what we refuse to destroy.”
John Sawhill, former president of New York University
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
Iowa in the Spotlight: The first vote in the 2020 US presidential election didn’t go according to plan. Thanks to a poorly designed smartphone app, last week’s Iowa Caucus still doesn’t have a winner. We took a deep dive to find out what went wrong and how smart governments around the world can learn from the experience. It’s not all technology’s fault.
Medicine on your phone: Speaking of applications, there have been recent improvements to how medical information is shared between doctors and patients. Abu Dhabi just unveiled a new application that will give medical professionals up to 15,000 medical records for 3 million people. In our latest article published by Xische, we argued that this development will greatly impact the quality of life in the UAE and beyond.
A Message From Digit AI
Artificial Intelligence can work for you. The pace of AI innovation is undeniable. With so many options to choose from, how can you be sure that you are making AI work for your needs? Discover what we’re doing at Digit Ai, a Xische company, to accelerate organisational capacity building that leverages AI and machine learning. Find solutions that make business sense and embrace the power of AI.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Is your laptop a friend or foe? Finding a suitable work-life balance is increasingly elusive for many of us. We are quick to blame our smartphones for our constant connection to work and colleagues, but what about our laptops? In a must-read piece for The Atlantic, Amanda Mull argues that the actual scourge of a healthy work-life balance is the laptop. The greatest danger laptops pose “might be granting employers the convenience to treat any little hiccup like an emergency, no matter how inconsequential”.
Don’t give up on paper: The old police memo book. You’ve probably seen one of these oversized notebooks cops use to take handwritten memos while on patrol in Hollywood films. But they’ll soon be a thing of the past for America’s most famous police department. An iPhone app will now be used exclusively by the New York City Police Department. The app, which the department developed and tested with input from its officers, promises secure communications and seamless design. Given the fallout from the Iowa voting app, maybe the NYPD shouldn’t get rid of those paper back-ups so quickly.