(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Doha Metro will significantly contribute to Qatar's pro-environment strategy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, a conference here was told yesterday.
Addressing the 4th Annual Arab Future Cities Summit at the
Ritz-Carlton, Qatar Rail managing director Abdulla Abdulaziz al-Subaie said Doha Metro could potentially reduce annual CO2 emissions by 258,000 tonnes. The major project will also facilitate a saving of 2mn km of travel (by vehicles) a day, he said.
Al-Subaie reiterated the transport firm's plans to hold regular stakeholder engagement summits as its aimed to transform Qatar into a "smart city" using integrated transportation solutions.
He underscored Qatar Rail's role in the economic, social, human, and development of Qatar, as well as its role in employment generation.
"Qatar Rail considers community awareness and acceptance as a key driver for success of the metro and other rail projects.
"And we look forward to holding regular stakeholder engagement summits and involve the public in our bid to transform Qatar into a smart city through integrated transportation solutions," al-Subaie said.
Al-Subaie explained that a smart city is defined when investment in infrastructure, human and social capital, transport, information and communications technology (ICT), energy use, sustainable economic development, and high quality of life "are at the forefront through participatory action and engagement."
"Qatar aims to transform itself into an advanced country capable of achievable, sustainable development, and ensuring a continuous, decent standard of living for its people.
"This transformation requires integration and collaboration among various stakeholders to make Qatar a smarter nation and provide a richer life experience for its people," al-Subaie stressed.
He also emphasised the need for regular fora to enable major players and stakeholders to discuss strategies and best practices when building smart city infrastructure.
"Under favourable conditions, the city will be smart in many ways; smartness is not limited to a few sectors only. For example, in energy we are looking for the development of technically and economically-feasible concepts for new buildings for the upgrading of similar existing establishments and energy infrastructure," he said.
Al-Subaie added, "We are also looking towards the development and deployment of smart solutions for lighting, heating, cooling, and electricity systems. In terms of transportation, being 'smart' means ease of movement and access to work, business, education, and leisure facilities in a seamless way while respecting the environment."
The summit gathered more than 350 delegates from the public and private sectors across the GCC, and featured sessions on the progress, efficient management of resources, future developments, and strategies on making future cities work better in the Middle East, specifically Qatar under initiatives taken up by government entities like Qatar Rail and ictQATAR.
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