Al Madinah witnessed a significant improvement in the global ranking of smart cities according to the International Institute for Administrative Development. It has climbed eleven positions in the current year of 2024, ranking seventy-fourth globally compared to eighty-fifth place it held in the previous year of 2023.
Al Madinah has maintained its seventh place in the Arab cities list according to an annual index that evaluates the digital development and global readiness of cities. This index focuses on showcasing cities’ digital progress and their residents’ awareness of efforts towards making their cities smarter. It aims to balance economic and technological aspects, enhance human aspects, meet the people’s aspirations, and needs. This progress also supports urban development by transforming cities into smart cities, making public spaces more attractive to both residents and visitors. It aims to make the most of resources, reduce carbon emissions, and activate digital technological solutions to enhance the quality of life.
The efforts of the Al Madinah Development Authority, in collaboration with partners from various government sectors, have enhanced coordination to energize electronic initiatives and achievements in various fields. These efforts have propelled the city towards the forefront in the global list of smart cities, reflecting the overall development in the Kingdom and specifically in Al Madinah in the realm of smart cities. This has led to the development of strategies to serve residents and visitors through urban planning methods. These efforts have benefited from programs offered by supportive bodies in the development system, such as the Quality of Life program, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, and the ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Municipal and Rural Affairs, and Housing. This aligns with the support and care given by the wise leadership within the goals of Vision 2030.
Al Madinah was included in the IMD Smart City Index list in 2021 as the second city in Saudi Arabia to achieve this after Riyadh. The list reflects cities’ readiness and reliance on modern technologies to establish smart and stable communities. Later on, Makkah, Jeddah, and more recently Khobar were also added to the list in previous years, becoming the fifth Saudi city among the top 100 cities globally in the IMD Smart City index. The index evaluates five main areas including healthcare and safety, cultural events, ease of mobility, government and public participation, as well as job opportunities and educational expansion.
