Smart cities are becoming a must in the world after coronavirus, CEO

In the face of mounting coronavirus-induced challenges, digital technologies are becoming a boon for all economic sectors and smart cities are becoming a must, according to chief executive of Tatweer Misr Dr. Ahmed Shalaby.

“ The time we are living now is instrumental in shaping up the world after coronavirus,” said Shalaby while attending a symposium held via video conference and organized by the International Council for Small-sized Businesses under the slogan of “ The future of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the world after coronavirus.”

The symposium, attended by Minister of Planning Dr. Hala El-Sayed, highlighted the importance of building smart cities and equipping the infrastructure of any upcoming cities with the most advanced technologies.

“The Egyptian state made great strides in the construction of new smart cities even before the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic,” said Ahmed Shalaby, citing the 4th-generation cities of the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, New Mansoura and Mostakbal City.

With Tatweer Misr’s Bloomfield cited as an example of of smart cities, Shalaby said that injecting heavy investments on infrastructure qualifying cities to be smart and digital help curtail expenditure on maintenance and operation by 25-30%. Also, the infrastructure of smart cities help cut energy consumption by 50%.

Regarding the most salient features of the real estate market in months and years to come, Dr. Shalaby said that online marketing is gaining ground, as up to 60-70% of real estate companies sales are done via the internet.

“ There is an urgent need to adopt electronic signature tools in order to ensure sales are completely done via the internet.”