The city of AlUla has joined the IMD Global Smart Cities Index for 2025, issued by the International Institute for Administrative Development. Five Saudi cities had previously joined the index: Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. This move confirms the success of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans in transitioning to smart cities through pioneering projects led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with several governmental entities. The aim is to build smart cities that meet the highest standards of quality of life.
AlUla’s inclusion in the Smart Cities Index this year is a result of ambitious plans being implemented by the kingdom to develop the city as a smart heritage, cultural, and tourist destination. Modern technologies enhanced with artificial intelligence have been employed to preserve historical sites and facilitate visitors’ experiences through advanced digital solutions, including crowd management systems, smart transportation services, and interactive applications that help explore the city efficiently.
The IMD Smart Cities Index for 2025 is based on several criteria, including residents’ awareness of the scope and impact of efforts to make their cities smart, achieving a balance between economic and technological aspects without neglecting human dimensions, bridging the gap between residents’ aspirations and needs, and modern trends in building smart cities. It also focuses on using digital technologies for optimal resource utilization, reducing carbon emissions, and making public spaces more responsive to residents’ needs.
