Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Current priorities

Medium
Energy & electricity
Medium
Environment & sustainability
Not a priority
Governance & funding
Medium
IT infrastructure
Medium
Public safety & health
Not a priority
Mobility & transportation
Low
Data & analytics
Not a priority
Buildings, public spaces
Low
Citizens & service delivery
Low
Payments & financial systems
Medium
Physical & digital security
Low
Talent & education
Low
Water & waste management

Main challenges to implementing smart projects identified by city officials

  • Changing demographics and diversity

Operating budget

-

Capital budget

-

Baseline data

City population
Residents living within the municipal boundary
1.42 million
SourceYear: 2018Source: UN
Region population
Residents living within the region
2.91 Million
SourceYear: 2018Source: Government of Abu Dhabi
Population density
Number of residents living within a square kilometer
2,100 People/sqKm
SourceYear: 2017Source: World's Capital Cities
Average household size
Average number of residents living in each household
6.39 People per household
SourceYear: 2015Source: Calculations based on multiple sources
Median age
Average age of residents
37.2 Years old
SourceYear: 2018Source: CIA World Factbook - national figures
Gender ratio (males : females)
Ratio of male to female residents
3.55:1 ratio
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
GDP per capita
Gross Domestic Product, or the total market value of all goods and services produced, per resident
$133,490 USD
SourceYear: 2016Source: McKinsey
City GDP
Total Gross Domestic Product, or the total market value of all goods and services produced
$189.56B USD
SourceYear: 2016Source: Calculated based on population and per capita GDP
VAT rate
Value Added Tax rate, or the rate at which the value of an article has been increased at each stage of production or distribution
5% Percent
SourceYear: 2018Source: World Bank
Unemployment rate
Percentage of labor force that is unemployed
2.23% Percent
SourceYear: 2018Source: ILO Stat - National figures
Labor force participation rate
Percentage of population belonging to labor force
81.01% Percentage
SourceYear: 2018Source: ILOSTAT, National Figures
Labor productivity (national)
Amount of goods and services produced by the workforce
$55,782 USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist national figures
Income inequality/GINI coefficient
National measure of income distribution among residents to estimate income inequality
Index (0 = perfect equality, 1 = perfect inequality)
SourceYear: Source:
University quality index
Composite index of local universities world rank
Index (0 = low, 1 = high)
SourceYear: Source:
Cost of living index (NY = 100)
Relative indicator of the cost of consumer goods, such as groceries, dining, transportation, and utilities
63.74 Index (NY = 100)
SourceYear: Mid-Year 2019Source: Numbeo
Property price to income ratio
Measure of apartment purchase affordability, generally calculated as the ratio of median apartment prices to median family disposable income, expressed as years of income. The rule of thumb is that the cost of a home should be about 2.6 times annual earnings.
6.01 Index
SourceYear: Mid-Year 2019Source: Numbeo
Rent index (NY = 100)
Estimation of the price of renting an apartment in a city compared to New York City
46.01 Index (NY = 100)
SourceYear: Mid-Year 2019Source: Numbeo

Environment and sustainability

22nd
of 100 ranked cities
Medium
Priority level
<12 months
Project start
0%
Anticipated investment change

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
ROI
Advanced flood warning
Planning
Digital tracking
Partial deployment
Large positive
Gamification of recycling
Not pursuing
Optimization of waste collection
Piloting
Real-time air monitoring system
Partial deployment
Small positive
Real-time water monitoring system
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Sensor-enabled garbage bins
Planning
Real-time pollution data
Planning

Baseline data

Total concentration of PM2.5
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers
85.2 Micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3)
SourceYear: 2014Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
CO2 emissions percent change (1990-2012)
Per capita CO2 emissions from the residential sector, using non-short-cycle organic fuels by 1990 and 2012
-18.18% Calculated percent change between 1990 and 2012
SourceYear: 1990, 2012, 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Pollution index
An estimation of the overall pollution in the city. The biggest weight is given to air pollution than to water pollution / accessibility
47.52 0 = low pollution, 100 = high pollution)
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Municipal waste generation (t/yr)
Municipal waste generation (t/yr)
1.03 Tonnes per year
SourceYear: 2018Source: World Bank What a Waste Global Database
Municipal waste generation per capita (kg/yr)
Municipal waste generation per capita (kg/yr)
818.88 Kilograms per year
SourceYear: 2018Source: World Bank What a Waste Global Database
Municipal waste collection coverage
Municipal waste collection coverage
100% Percent
SourceYear: 2018Source: World Bank What a Waste Global Database
Percent population exposed to flooding
Population exposure of floods in 2015 divided by total population in 2015
0% Percent
SourceYear: 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
World Risk Index
The World Risk Index is based on a model for calculating the risk of disasters arising directly from earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts, or sea-level rise.
1.97 Index (0.31 = lowest risk, 56.71 = highest risk)
SourceYear: 2019Source: World Risk Index
UV index
International standard measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation
12 Index (0 = "Low", 11+ = "Extreme")
SourceYear: 2019Source: NomadList
Maximum magnitude of the heatwaves
The Heat Wave Magnitude Index (HWMId) takes into account both heatwave duration and intensity. HWMId is defined as the maximum magnitude of the heawaves occurring in a year, where a heatwave is defined as the periods of at least three consecutive days with maximum temperature above the calendar 90th percentile centered on a 31 day reference period. Heatwave magnitudes are grouped into seven categories, ranging from normal (greater than 1) to ultra extreme (greater than 32). ≤1 Normal <2≤ Moderate <3≤ Severe <4≤ Extreme <8≤ Very Extreme <16≤ Super Extreme <32≤ Ultra Extreme.
4.34 Heatwave Magnitude Index (HWMId)
SourceYear: 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Average precipitation in 2014
Average precipitation in 2014 (cm)
3.83 Centimeters
SourceYear: 2014Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Percent change in average precipitation (1990-2014)
Change in average precipitation (1990-2014)
-42.17% Calculated percent change between 1990 and 2014
SourceYear: 1990, 2014Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Average temperature in 2014 (°C)
Average temperature in 2014 (°C)
28.4 Degrees Celsius
SourceYear: 2014Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Temperature change (1990-2014)
Temperature change (1990-2014)
1.02% Calculated percent change between 1990 and 2014
SourceYear: 1990, 2014Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Share of population living in high green areas
Percent of total population living in km2 designated as open space
0.59% Percent
SourceYear: 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Percent open space
Percent of total km2 of city designated as open space
100% Percent
SourceYear: 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European Commission Joint Research Centre

Public safety and health

13th
of 100 ranked cities
Medium
Priority level
>5years
Project start
+21%
Anticipated investment change

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
ROI
Body cameras for police
Not pursuing
Crowdsourced crime reporting
Widescale deployment
Large positive
Data-based public health interventions
Widescale deployment
Moderate positive
Data-driven inspections
Piloting
Drone technology for risk management
Not pursuing
Emergency notification apps
Planning
Emergency response optimization
Partial deployment
Large positive
Facial recognition software
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
First aid alerts
Partial deployment
Large positive
Gunshot sensors
Not pursuing
Infectious disease surveillance
Piloting
Predictive policing
Planning
Real-time crime mapping
Widescale deployment
Large positive
Real-time remote air quality monitoring
Piloting
Remote patient monitoring
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Real-time pollution data apps
Piloting
Smart stations
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Smart surveillance
Piloting

Baseline data

Crime index
Estimation of the overall level of crime in a city, with levels lower than 20 being very low, levels between 20 and 40 being low, levels between 40 and 60 being moderate, levels between 60 and 80 being high, and levels higher than 80 being very high
10.54 Index
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Crime perception
Crime Perception is an index that measures the belief that crime has gotten worse over the last three years. Low values (0 to 20) indicate an overall perception consensus that crime has not gotten worse in recent years. High values (80 to 100) indicate an overall perception consensus that crime has gotten worse in recent years.
36 Scale out of 100
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Homicide rate per 100,000 citizens
Rate of homicides for every 100,000 residents
0.9 Homicides per 100,000 citizens
SourceYear: 2016Source: Homicide Monitor
Surveillance cameras per 1,000 people
Number of Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance cameras for every 1,000 residents
13.77 Cameras per 1,000 people
SourceYear: 2011Source: https://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/500-000-surveillance-cameras-to-oversee-chongqing-china/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAL37OrGSfyccrDwXiA5iqwlbVxb0nJRcsIZXjj_EefwylBY8l9vK95PpZlocN5-a0pluIAVA_nuRqXhioBreZpbyMj1I3qBcafSR8F2-AFYRZfN1gguezIKWKRgoHT5Q7tfNLJiwHmYY_fgPhzJ9yU6hRM6Cy5XjlD0-wDsOC1Vu
Guns per capita (US data is city specific; country otherwise)
The number of guns for every resident
22.1 Guns per resident
SourceYear: 2016Source: Teleport Cities, Country Level
Gun deaths per 100,000 citizens
Number of fatalities due to guns for every 100,000 residents (US-specific, country otherwise)
1.4 Deaths per 100,000 people
SourceYear: 2016Source: Teleport Cities, Country Level
Hospital score
User- reported quality of local hospitals rated from 0 to 5
2.64/5 Score
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of residents in years
77.1 Years
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
Birth rate (national)
The number of live births per thousand of population per year
2.32 Live births per 1,000 residents
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
Percent population that smokes (national)
The share of residents that smoke out of the whole population at the country level
Percent
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
Obesity, BMI over 30 (US city-specific, country otherwise)
Average body mass index (BMI) of residents. BMI is weight divided by height and is used to measure obesity. A BMI of 18.5 or less is underweight, 18.5 to 24.99 is normal, 25 to 29.99 is overweight, and 30 and above is obese
29.9 BMI
SourceYear: 2016Source: World Health Organization, by Country

Mobility and transportation

17th
of 100 ranked cities
Not a priority
Priority level
>5years
Project start
-6%
Anticipated investment change

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
ROI
Bike lanes/bike traffic signals
Piloting
Congestion charging/usage-based charging
Widescale deployment
Large positive
Curb management/curb pricing
Widescale deployment
Small positive
Digital public transit payment system
Partial deployment
Large positive
Mobility as a service (MaaS) app/integrated multimodal information
Piloting
Open-loop payment system
Piloting
Parcel load pooling/smart parcel distribution
Partial deployment
Large positive
Predictive maintenance of transportation infrastructure
Planning
Public electric vehicle charging stations
Widescale deployment
Small positive
Real-time public transportation app/information
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Real-time traffic management system
Widescale deployment
Large positive
Reducing parking minimums
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Smart parcel lockers
Planning
Smart parking app
Piloting
Intelligent traffic signals
Planning
Vehicle to infrastructure connectivity (V2X)
Planning

Baseline data

Monthly public transportation pass price
Cost (USD) for monthly public transit pass
$21.78 USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Annual metro/light rail ridership
Total number of passengers (in millions) on metro and/or light rail public transit
Millions of people
SourceYear: Source:
Average public transportation wait time (selected cities)
Average amount of time (in minutes) passengers wait for public transportation to arrive
Minutes
SourceYear: Source:
Congestion index
Composite index of time consumed in traffic due to job commute, estimation of time consumption dissatisfaction, CO2 consumption estimation in traffic, and overall inefficiencies in the traffic system. A high index indicates traffic congestion is a significant issue the city. (Lowest index value = 76.02, Highest index value = 285.87, Average index value = 164.60).
127.94 Index
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Average hours lost in congestion
Estimated time lost (in hours) in congestion per year based on typical commute trip length (in hours) and the number of trips a typical commuter makes per year
50 Hours
SourceYear: 2018Source: Inrix 2018 Scorecard
Average price of gas (1L)
Average cost (USD) for 1L of gasoline
$0.63 USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Number of electric vehicle charging stations
Estimated number of electric vehicle charging stations in and immediately surrounding the city
22 Number of stations
SourceYear: 2019Source: Chargemap
Number of traffic-related deaths per 100,000 residents
Number of fatalities due to traffic events for every 100,000 residents
Deaths per 100,000 residents
SourceYear: Source:
Number of bike share stations
Number of bike share stations in a city
48 Number of stations
SourceYear: 2019Source: OBrien Bikeshare Map
Number of bike share docks
Number of bike share docks in a city
588 Number of docks
SourceYear: 2019Source: OBrien Bikeshare Map
Over the year percent change in ride sharing users (country level)
Change in active paying customers (or accounts) year-over-year at the country level
10.5% Percentage
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Number of ride sharing users (country level)
Number of active paying customers (or accounts) (in millions) per country of ride share platforms, such as private vehicle ride sharing (e.g. Uber), taxis offering service through an application (e.g. myTaxi), online platforms offering shared rides with other passengers (e.g. Moia), and ride share services that require online checkout
2.5 Millions of people
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Over the year percent change in ride sharing revenue (country level)
Change in forecasted revenue year-over-year at the country level
15.2% Percent
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Ride sharing revenue (country level)
Forecasted revenue (USD millions) at the country level
$959 USD millions
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Ride sharing user penetration (country level)
The share of active paying customers (or accounts) from the total population at the country level
25.9% Percent
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista

Energy and water

69th
of 100 ranked cities
Medium
Priority: Energy
Low
Priority: Water
<12 months
Project start
+14%
Anticipated investment change

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
ROI
Dynamic electricity pricing
Partial deployment
Large positive
Energy consumption tracking for user
Partial deployment
Moderate positive
Gamified energy reduction platforms/programs
Planning
Microgrids/distributed generation
Piloting
Predictive maintenance planning for water and sewer infrastructure
Planning
Programs to encourage the adoption of building/home automation systems
Piloting
Renewable/clean energy
Planning
Smart electricity grid
Planning
Smart electricity meters
Planning
Smart street lighting
Planning
Smart water meters
Planning
Water consumption tracking for users
Piloting
Water network realtime data monitoring system
Piloting

Baseline data

Domestic water consumption
Water consumption in liters per person per day
500 Liters per person
SourceYear: 2019Source: "United Arab Emirates Water", https://www.export.gov/article?id=UnitedArabEmiratesWater
Water tariff per 100 m3
Price of water per 100 m3 in USD
$71.21 Price of water per 100 m3 in USD
SourceYear: 2018Source: IB-NET Tariff Database
Water pollution
Crowd-sourced data on city resident's perception of the cleanliness of their water supply
42.33 Index (0 = low pollution, 100 = high pollution)
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Percent non-revenue water
Percent of non-revenue water in the city
Percentage
SourceYear: Source:
Drinking water quality and accessibility
Water quality perception index is an index that measures the perception of water quality and accessibility within the city. Water quality perceptions lower than 20 indicate a very poor perception of water quality, between 20 and 40 indicate poor water quality, between 40 and 60 indicate acceptable water quality, between 60 and 80 indicate good water quality, and over 80 indicate very good water quality.
70.59 Perceived Index (0 = low water quality, 100 = high water quality)
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Night time light emissions (light pollution)
Average night time light emission calculated within the Urban Centre spatial domain, expressed in nano-watt per steradian per square centimeter
98.81 Nano-watt per steradian per square centimeter
SourceYear: 2015Source: GHS Urban Centre Database 2015, European CommissionJoint Research Centre
Price of electricty per kWh cost
Price of electricty per kWh cost
USD
SourceYear: Source:
Energy generation mix: % renewable
Energy generation, percent renewable (biomass, solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal)
Percentage
SourceYear: Source:
Energy generation mix: % fossil fuel
Energy generation, percent nonrenewable (gas, oil, coal, and nuclear)
Percentage
SourceYear: Source:
Electricity usage per capita (country level)
Electricity usage per capita (country level)
16,195 kilowatt hours (kWh) per person
SourceYear: 2019Source: Batchgeo, "Mapping the Most Electricity Use by Country"

Technology and IT infrastructure

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
Analyzing data: Using advanced analytics and technologies
Stage 3
Collecting data: Gathering high volumes of data through advanced technologies such as IoT sensors, artificial intelligence, wearables, and drones
Stage 4
Extracting value from data: Using data to constantly improve the operations of the city
Stage 2
Integrating data: Combining multiple types of data across internal and external sources
Stage 2
Making data accessible and usable—Making data widely available to stakeholders in a user-friendly way
Stage 3
Managing data: Using advanced systems, such as a data management warehouse or data lakes, to manage data
Stage 3
Monetizing data: Creating fee-generating services offered by my city or its partners
Stage 2
Predicting trends from data: Using data to forecast future trends and impacts
Stage 1
Protecting data: Putting robust measures in place to safeguard data and ensure data privacy
Stage 3

Baseline data

Internet speed in the city
Internet speed measured in megabits per second (Mbps)
8 Megabits per second. Data is collected from internet speed testing websites, internet service providers, and public internet speed datasets for each city. For most cities, over 1,000 samples are analyzed.
SourceYear: 2019Source: Nomadlist
Price of internet
Monthly price for internet (60 megabits per second or more, unlimited data, cable)
$107.9 USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Numbeo
Percent of households with internet access in the city
Percent of households with internet access in the city
Pecentage
SourceYear: Source:
Availability of 5G
Availability of fifth-generation cellular networks, or 5G. Commercial: "A 5G network is present and devices are available for consumers to purchase and use." Limited: "A 5G network is present but devices are limited to select consumers." Pre-release: “5G network hardware is in place but is currently in testing and/or not yet accessible to consumers.”
Commercial availability Level of availability
SourceYear: 2019, Data as of SeptemberSource: Ookla 5G Map
Percent of city covered by public Wi-FI
Area covered by public Wi-Fi network
60% Percentage
SourceYear: 2019Source: Hyperconnected Cities Survey

Procurement methods

  • Buy the technology
  • Partner with technology providers

Areas of city using advanced technologies

  • Energy and electricity
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Governance and funding

Governance and finance

18th
of 100 ranked cities
Not a priority
Priority level
1-2 years
Project start
+8%
Anticipated investment change

Current initiatives

Initiative
Progress
ROI
"Just-in-time" civil service
Widescale deployment
Moderate positive
Data-based policy enforcement
Piloting
Data-based policy making
Planning
Digital business licensing and permitting
Partial deployment
Large positive
Digital citizen services
Partial deployment
Large positive
Digital land-use and building permitting
Piloting
Digital payments
Partial deployment
Large positive
Digital tax filing
Partial deployment
Small positive
Distributed government
Widescale deployment
Moderate positive

Baseline Data

Number of mobile POS payment users (country)
Number of mobile POS payment users by country
0.1 Millions of users
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
User penetration rate of mobile POS payment systems (country)
User penetration rate of mobile POS payment systems by country
0.7% Percentage
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Transaction value of all mobile POS payments (country)
Transaction value of all mobile POS payments by country
$57 M million USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Digital commerce users (country)
Digital commerce users by country
8.7 M Millions of people
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
User penetration rate of digital commerce (country)
User penetration rate of digital commerce by country
89.37% Percentage
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
Transaction value of all digital commerce (country)
Transaction value of all digital commerce by country
$9,022 M USD
SourceYear: 2019Source: Statista
City data portal
The city has an open data portal available
Yes
SourceYear: 2019Source: Hyperconnected Cities Survey
City mobile app
The city has a mobile app
Yes
SourceYear: 2019Source: Hyperconnected Cities Survey
Citizen satisfaction surveys
The city conducts citizen satisfaction surveys
Yes
SourceYear: 2019Source: Hyperconnected Cities Survey