The forum, themed “Intelligent Cities, Levers for Sustainable Territorial Development,” emphasized the need for environmentally friendly, socially resilient, and technologically innovative approaches to urban development.
UM6P President Hicham El Habti called for smarter planning strategies across African cities. The three-day forum convened researchers, academics, and practitioners from urban planning, innovation, education, and technology sectors. Its goals included identifying emerging urban and territorial challenges in Africa, fostering innovation among citizens, researchers, and public/private stakeholders, and encouraging the exchange of experiences and smart urban solutions.
The forum highlighted the crucial role of smart cities in achieving sustainable development. French Minister for Regional Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, emphasized the importance of digitalization and AI in transforming societies. She advocated for inclusive urban policies, sustainable governance practices, and responsible planning focused on technology and innovation.
Awatif Hayar, Morocco’s Minister for Solidarity, Social Integration and the Family, participated virtually, underscoring the role of technology and innovation in social development. She cited Morocco’s digital approach, including a unified social register with over ten million users, as an example of promoting sustainable development and empowering citizens.
Remy Sietchiping, Head of Legislation and Governance at UN-Habitat Kenya, emphasized the importance of sharing smart city experiences and collaborating with UM6P. He stressed the need for exploring technologies tailored to African realities to develop innovative solutions.
El Habti reiterated the need for African cities to adopt smarter planning approaches, leveraging technologies to address urban challenges and seize opportunities. The forum’s launch of the Centre for Territorial Innovation and Intelligent Urban Performance, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, aims to address these challenges from a global perspective.
The event attracted participation from the governor of Rehamna province, ambassadors, government officials, and academics. Discussions focused on the importance of urban development, intelligent city management, heritage preservation, risk management, and resource optimization.
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