Reem Al-Hashemi and Hala Badri explore the horizon of "cities of the future"

Talent development is the cornerstone of developing the creative economy

Reem Al Hashemi and Hala Badri at the Future Cities Symposium within the activities of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Photography: Patrick Castillo

In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai «Dubai Culture», and Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, the activities of the dialogue session «Cities of the Future» were held with the participation of each of the Minister of State for Affairs International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashemi, and Director General of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, “Dubai Culture”, Hala Badri.

At the beginning of the session, Reem Al Hashemi stopped at the experience of "Dubai Expo City", which is a living and successful example of flexible and highly evolving cities of the future, considering that the concept of future cities does not depend only on technology, but rather on the importance of human beings and taking into account the value of their existence as a fundamental axis in the formation of these Modern cities, saying, "It is true that Expo 2020 Dubai has closed its doors, but the doors of Expo Dubai will remain open after it has become a destination for science and education, which will make it a vivid example of innovative urban areas that incubate cooperation efforts, knowledge exchange, and the future talent industry, which must be invested in and developed." And preserving it, especially since many countries around the world are currently studying Dubai's successful experience in this field.

In parallel with our talk about cities of the future, we must stop at the preparations of the United Arab Emirates to host the Conference of the Parties (COP28) late this year, which will be held in Dubai Expo City.

human first

Regarding the necessity of diversifying the sources of the creative economy, Al-Hashemi indicated that creativity, culture and the arts are among the sectors that put people at the center of their primary interest and within the priorities of planning this type of projects that are not only based on dreams and aspirations, but also on real numbers and clear economic and commercial analyses, stressing The necessity of a balance between relying entirely on technology as a tool and using it as a means to facilitate the lives of the residents of these cities.

The Director General of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, "Dubai Culture", Hala Badri, recalled the tweet of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which he published on his official account on the occasion of the completion of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for its 15th year, through which he emphasized that culture is the guide to civilization, as Our life is not complete without economic sufficiency, cultural depth and social cohesion, referring to the roots of cultural depth and the value of planning for future cities through the insightful vision instilled by His Highness in the year 1998 through the “Courtyard” complex in the Al Quoz region, whose idea was presented at that time by a resident of the Emirates. His Highness adopted a future vision ahead of its time.

creative economy

On the importance of creating a cultural personality within the planning of future cities, Badri talked about the establishment of many cities of the future in Dubai, such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and other cities for production, in addition to many creative projects, the latest of which was the presidency of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed meeting of the Supreme Committee of the Al Quoz Creative Project, and the approval of Her Highness the general plan for the project to develop the region at the levels of infrastructure and artwork, according to a time plan to establish an integrated creative complex that meets the requirements of creators from all over the world and entrepreneurs wishing to invest in the various fields of the creative economy.

The Director General of "Dubai Culture" confirmed that talent development is the cornerstone of the development of the creative economy, along with a set of various enhancers, such as the digital and infrastructure environment, the attractiveness of the city, and social and economic networks, down to financing and the role of the government through the development of legislation regulating institutional work, saying, "You have Dubai has all the ingredients for success. It has many historical libraries and museums, up to the Museum of the Future. It also has leading international festivals and many other incentives.

Minister of State for International Cooperation:

"The concept of cities of the future does not depend only on technology, but rather on the importance of the human being and taking into account the value of his existence as a fundamental axis in the formation of these modern cities."

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