Building the Future: Smart infrastructure revolutionizes urban living - NIHTE Deputy Nat’l Chair
By Matthew Denis
The Deputy National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), Engr. Dr. Bola Mudasiru disclosed that smart infrastructures effects revolutionizing urban development through leveraging technology to achieve sustainability and efficiency.
He made the disclosure during his presentation at the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers International Conference held recently.
Dr. Bola while speaking on the topic "Engineering Resilient Cities: Smart infrastructure and sustainable solutions for better Urban future and Quality of Life "he stressed that cities faced significant challenges in balancing environmental responsibility, social equity and economic viability in tune with the UN SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.
He explained that despite occupying 3 percent of habitable lands cities account for 95 percent global CO emissions underscoring the need for integrated infrastructure and technology solutions.
Engr. Bola revealed that the driving force behind smart Cities lies on rapid urbanization which the UN estimated that by 2050 about 68 percent of the global population will liv the cities.
He emphasized that the core objectives of smart Cities have attributes of economic growth, digital readiness, sustainability quality of life and governance.
"Guided by collective ambition, we build smart Cities where innovation meets purpose and every street echoes with opportunity, equity and Hope "
The expert cited Zurich in Switzerland as fastest smart City in the world while Kigali emerged as African's premier smart City among the 30 cities featured in the African smart Cities index in 2023 a pioneering initiative designed to gauge the integration of digital infrastructure, sustainable measures and innovative urban solutions in African rapidly emerging urban cities.
According to him implementation strategic and policy framework needs stakeholders engagement, financing and investment, policy framework to maintain smart Cities.
He highlighted that leveraging on technology, innovation and strategic collaboration is a vital tool for shaping resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban futures.
"By developing smart Cities African stands to harness the awesome benefits of smart applications to deliver efficiency in the broad areas of mobility/traffic, healthcare, security, water, energy, waste management, economic development and housing