The third day of the Future Urbanism Expo in Dubai last week featured exclusive interviews with pioneering companies shaping the future of smart cities and sustainable urban development.
PRAGUE SETS THE BAR FOR SUSTAINABLE CITY PLANNING
International radio and TV broadcaster Nadira Tudor interviewed Petr Hlaváček, Former Deputy Mayor of Prague. shedding light on how cities can draw inspiration from Prague's model that prioritises sustainable urban development.
Hlaváček shared key strategies that made Prague a leader in sustainable city planning. Their focus on sustainable transport and green spaces is creating a greener future.
Investing in Future Generations
Prague is investing lots of money into public transportation, public spaces, and green areas. Hlaváček emphasised the importance of this to create affordable, functional cities for future generations. This approach ensures the city's sustainability and livability.
Harnessing Renewable Energy Sources
Hlaváček highlighted how Prague is big on renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions. He highlighted how the city has begun a project using heating pumps from sewage waste. This project holds the potential to supply at least 40% of the city's required heat. So it plays an important role in the city's commitment to sustainable practices.
HIGHLIGHTING EXHIBITING COMPANIES
Several key companies made their mark at the Expo, showcasing their innovative solutions:
- MyGate: MyGate's Project Manager Ajay Vadala was present. The company began in 2016 to enhance security in gated communities. Today, it is India's leading solution for comprehensive community management. They serve over 3.5 million families.
- Five at Heart: CEO Michael Coley's company manufactures the best bike rooms, change rooms, and modern workplace experiences.
- Vega Innovations: Vega Innovations Sales and Marketing Manager, Natashia Anderson, was present. She highlighted how the Colombo-based company is revolutionising the automotive industry with its high-performance electric supercars and EV technologies.
KEY DISCUSSIONS ON GREEN FINANCING
The Expo featured a crucial fireside chat on green financing. Mr. Siseko Mbandezi, the City of Cape Town's Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, and Mr. Vitor Pereira, Executive Director of Zoom Global Smart Cities Association, led the chat. Distinguished urban leaders from around the world joined this discussion, including Anton Elistratov, CEO of Samolet Group, Valter Vieira, Regional Director of Aspect, John Shenton, Chair of CIOB, and Jan Vapaavuori, former Mayor of Helsinki.
In this chat, they explored various aspects of green financing and underlined its importance for advancing sustainable urban development.
AN EXCITING EXPO ON THE FUTURE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The Future Urbanism Expo continues to serve as a global platform for sharing insights and innovations that will shape the future of smart cities and sustainable urban living. It's a great event with forward-thinking companies from all over the world.
