Dubai South in all practical economic scales is the largest economic development in Dubai after JAFZA and Dubai Airport. Making Dubai South Smart Aerotropolis (Smart Airport City) is a challenging task for technologists while it should be driven by economic objectives and business driven. I'm here putting some thoughts on how to do that. I was one of founding team of Dubai South and got a compassion for its development and how it will transform Dubai to its next economic development stage.

1. Dubai South
“City of You”
Building The Smart Center of Dubai’s Tomorrow

2. Dubai South, the “City of You”
In 2014, when HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President
and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Dubai, unveiled
the Dubai Strategic Plan 2021, he defined a new focal point for the emirate’s
governance: the happiness of its people.
Dubai South is the emirate’s flagship urban project that embodies Dubai’s
vision to become a city of happiness.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum

3. …the Dubai 2021 Strategic Plan has many aims including the focus on ”The Place” and
“The Economy”, which shall be main objectives for DUBAI SOUTH as a new development
to be the Right Place for Businesses and Residents.
1
A Smart, Integrated and Connected City: The infrastructure that supports the economic and social life of Dubai as a
city matches world-class levels of efficiency and citizen accessibility, and that allows for future growth of the city.
2
Sustainable with its Resources: A city that uses its resources sustainably over the long-term and in line with
international best practice levels in terms of consumption, efficiency, and management, and in its dependence on
renewable energy sources.
3
Environmental Elements are Clean, Healthy and Sustainable: Dubai enjoys a clean and healthy environment in all its
elements and ensures its sustainability in the long-term, and in line with the world’s best practices.
4
A Safe and Resilient Built Environment: Safety standards across the built environment — including building and
transport safety codes and emergency services and crisis/ disaster response capabilities — that match international
best practices.
THE PLACE
“A Smart & Sustainable City”
1
A City that Enjoys Sustainable Economic Growth: Economic growth that is resilient to disruptive shocks because it
is underpinned by a diversified base of economic activity, innovation in business models and increasing productivity
of labor and capital.
2
One of the World’s Leading Business Centers: Consistently ranked as one of the top 5 global centers for trade,
logistics, tourism and finance as well as internationally recognized as the leading financial and trading center at the
heart of the Islamic economy.
3
The Most Business Friendly City and a Preferred Investment Destination: Dubai is the preferred investment
destination for foreign capital, and takes its position as the most business friendly city in the world.
THE ECONOMY
“A Pivotal Hub in the Global Economy”

4. There are many approaches and definitions for Smart City and despite extensive use of the “Smart
City” Label, the concept of Smart City is still evolving.
Dubai South should select best combination of approach that fits its development.
“A Smart City is an urban area where
public and private entities cooperate in
achieving sustainable outcomes though
the analysis of real-time contextual
information shared between different
expert systems.
“A Smart City is one that applies
technology information and
communication to the transformation of
one or more areas of management”
“A Smart City has three priority areas:
energy, transport and ICT. The purpose of
the application of technology of these
areas is providing efficiency and reducing
energy consumption and emission of
greenhouse gas.
All definitions have a common theme: the use of technology for delivering of better
life and better business with maximized efficiency and utmost outcomes.
UN Definition of
Sustainable Urban Development

5. Dubai Government – Smart Dubai Vision
Smart Economy Smart Living Smart Mobility
• Smart Economic Hubs
(Tourism, Business,
Logistics and Financial
services)
• Smart innovation
programs
• Smart Residents &
Visitors
• Smart Safety & Security
• Smart Healthcare
• Smart Building / Home
• Smart Public Realm
Signage
• Smart Transport
• Smart Urban
Infrastructure
Smart Governance Smart Environment Smart People
• Smart City Enablement
Smart Resident & Visitors
• Smart Utilities
• Smart Urban
Infrastructure
• Smart Education
Vision:
To Improve Quality
of Life in Dubai
Mission:
“Embraces innovation
to make Dubai More
Efficient, Seamless,
Safe & deliver an
enriched city
experience through
smart technology”
17
Leveraging City Assets and Infrastructure will provide scalability and efficiencyConsolidated City Infrastructure
Open City Data Orchestration
Window to Dubai
Reach City data where it resides and orchestrate secure access to stakeholders
Enable cross stakeholder data reach and stimulate Crowd-Sourcing for
development of Smart City Applications
Dubai Dashboard
Provide an integrated app and data rich Geo Spatial dashboard for City decision
makers
ONE-DUBAI - Stakeholder
Involvement
Enable Stakeholder collaboration to define Smart Services based on each
Stakeholder input and experience
Smart City Dimension Focus Areas
Enable Dubai smart city to focus on strategic imperatives of Dubai and lead globally
in Smart Economy and Living

6. Smart City Strategy Model
Unified
Services Integrated Operation Distinction
UniqueUbiquitous
Practical Services Converged Operation
Brand Slogan
Development
Realistic
Services
Integration
of Private &
Public
Sector
Services
Optimized &
Converged
Operation
Development
Service
Extension &
Platform
Development
Local Taste
Promotion
and
Marketing
Vision
Objectives
Business
Direction
Tactics
THE UNIQUE CITY WITH QUALITY OF LIFE

7. So, “What shall drive smart city development in Dubai South?”
Dubai South planning is already done many years back with regular adjustments to
align with Dubai’s Strategic Plan and 2021 Plan.
Four-stage urban infrastructure evolution
Where are the Cities positioned today in the evolution of urban
infrastructure and what will future infrastructure demands be?
The Successful “smart city” model should be
making its impact and changes on urban
development planning as a long-term
development vision; including innovation on
creation of smart business services, smart
buildings, smart offices, safe city, smart home,
intelligent transportation, smart logistics, smart
health, smart grid, smart urban planning, smart
environment and smart construction.
In a nutshell, successful
“Smart City” model
should has a direct role
in boosting the national
economy and social
development, and
sustainable development
of new industries, new
service models, and
innovative technologies.
PwC Research

8. Smart City services are varied and depend on what each city is focusing on like
Tourism or Logistics or environment or Safety and so on.
For example, Seoul Metro City (SMC), San Francisco and Amsterdam are cities of different industries and different
cultural aspects.

9. Smart London
approach
Access To Open Data
Smart London Plan using the creative power of new technologies to serve London
and improve Londoners’ lives

10. What Dubai
Planned For
Future
How Expo2020 will be
to the world– The
Most Advanced Expo
Ever
What Dubai
South is Doing
Now and in 10
years
What Services Dubai
South Can Offer to
All Zones
What shall be possible
integration end to end
between Dubai South,
Expo2020,
AlMaktoum, DXB and
other entities in Dubai
Plan For Dubai South to
Be Smart Dubai South;
City Of You and the
maximizing benefits
from Airports and the
Expo.
Driving forces in Dubai and UAE for economic growth and
social welfare are part of strategic drivers for Dubai South Plan
Dubai South
will be in the
middle of all
these plans
due the plan
for Expo2020
and largest
airport in the
world, and
tourism
growth.
There are many mega
plans in Dubai including
Expo2020, future plan
for Post-Oil economy,
etc.
Building Smart Dubai
South requires:
• Leadership support
• Financing Model
• Domain knowledge
• Diligent implementation
• Barriers elimination

11. Dubai South Approach
Each city has its own citizen priorities and aspirations and hence needs to customize
‘smartness’ to its specific wants to cater to its specific needs. Dubai South is a mega
economic development which means there are many factors to include in the approach.
Building The Model Of Dubai South
To Be City Of Tomorrow
The Smart
Dubai South
Smart
Dubai
Strategy
Dubai South
Business
Model and
Strategy
Airports Are becoming Catalyst for Mega Development
Services Evolution Around Airports
A holistic approach is needed that
combines multiple areas for sustainable
(social, economic and environmental)
development and requires alignment of
definition, design, funding, delivery
management and the measurement of
outcomes for smart city initiatives.

12. Urban Planning
& Design
Land
Development
Economic
Development
Vision
& Planning
MASTER
PLANNING
SMART CITIES
Funding
& Project
Structuring
Delivery
Implementation
& Management
…the best practice in the industry recommend Integrated Master Planning For Smart
City around urban planning that driven by economic development and Technology
together to reach best investment of infrastructure and resources and delivering best
smart services possible.
Dubai Gov. is
adopting a
hybrid model
since there
are major
parts of Dubai
are already
built (brown)
versus Dubai
South which
is a to-build
(green).

13. Urban Development
Master Plan
Infrastructure
Master Plan
Smart City
Master Plan
Dubai South Master Plan
Architectural Master
Planning is the first design
phase for most large-scale
projects
It offers the first clear
visual insight of the
developer’s vision and the
development’s potential
The Infrastructure Master
Plan sets out the
infrastructure assets for
the community (transport,
utilities, sewerage, District
Cooling, Water,
Environment control, etc.)
Smart City Master Planning
is a planning process to
imbed a “technology
infrastructure & platforms”
into the physical
infrastructure in order to
create a Smart City
Services
… the Smart City Master Plan shall define the implementation road map for the
deployment and integration of Services and Infrastructure into the Development
and Physical Infrastructure Plans

14. Master Plan Stages Build-Up
Smart City Related
Experience
Business Related
Experience
Lessons Learned
Do’s and Don’ts
Best Practices
Local Flavors
Master Plan for Smart City

15. Direct and Indirect Impact of Smart Dubai South
The economics of cities set out the different ways in which smart city projects can
add value across a range of city indicators.
Dubai overall
economic and social
gains from smart
Dubai south
implementation
Dubai south impact
on businesses and
residents on Dubai
South and entities like
airport and expo2020
level
Dubai South impact
on logistics and
aviation zones and
associated zones like
airport and expo2020

16. Smart City Overall Services Structure Model
Citizen, Traveller, Business, Vehicle, Machine
Technology Infrastructure (Telecom, ICT, IoT, Security, Physical Assets, etc.)
Value Added Services
City & Building
Services
Visibility (Track &
Trace) Services
ICT Services

17. Many other positive outcomes could result by adopting Smart City services for new and old cities to
resolve problems or avoid future issues might arise due to growth of population or commerce.
IDC Government Insights, 2014
… the Smart Systems and Smart Devices are covering every area of life and commerce.
Smart City is the unified model to integrate all together to deliver Efficient, Livable,
Safe and Happy City.

18. Is this a
mandated
need? (ie
other key
drivers)
Critical for Short
Term rollout –
Evaluate
Y
N
Is there an
existing
precedence
?
Y
N
Is there a
complete
implemented
solution?
Confirm market
need
– Put on hold
Y
Potential for
Short Term
rollout
– Evaluate
Candidate for
later rollout
– Evaluate Later
“Smart
Service”
N
For new, untried / unproven services, it is important to
conduct detailed market analysis to validate willingness to
buy and economic viability
…the planning for Smart City Master Plan development is different from a city to
another. Dubai South Smart City Master Plan shall adopt mixed approach to ensure
best outcome. We here show some of selection process for the services to roll out.
• Smart City Master Plan
• Dubai South Business
Model
• Market Demand
• Economic Drivers
surrounding Dubai

19. High Level Financial Model – Scope and Approach
Determine
Infrastructure
required
Margin
Cost
Estimation
Revenue
Estimation
Key Input: Demographic & Volumetric data
Required to determine demand & size infrastructure required
Review
Services
in / out
Margin Assessment
Agreed
potential
“Smart
Services”
for Offering
to End
Customers
Recommended
“Smart
Services”
for Launch
including cost
and revenue
estimates
Re-run financial model based on
revised sensory infrastructure
needs
• Demand of service will be required for to help determine costs and revenues.
• The agreed set of potential services will be modelled to assess financial viability
Approach for Financial Planning of Smart Services

20. High Level Financial Model – Scope and Approach
Determine
Sensory
Infrastructure
required
Margin
Cost
Estimation
Revenue
Estimation
Key Input: Demographic & Volumetric data
Required to determine demand & size infrastructure required
Review
Services
in / out
Margin Assessment
Agreed
potential
“Smart
Visibility
Services”
for Offering
to End
Customers
Recommended
“Smart Visibility
Services”
for Launch
including cost
and revenue
estimates
Re-run financial model based
on revised sensory
infrastructure needs
Underlying Model Calculations Performed
Cost = Cn + Cd
Cn = Cost of Infrastructure Technology X Footprint
Cd = Cost of Device Technology X Demand & Growth
Notes
Cn = Cost of the underlying sensory network/infrastructure
Cd = Cost of devices driven by demand
Costs include capital costs plus estimates for maintenance and support
Cost Estimation
Revenue = Service Pricing X Demand & Growth
Revenue Estimation
Target Margin Required: 30%
(Based on 3 years)
Required to cover costs of COGS, SG&A and
cost of capital
Margin

21. Building Smart Dubai South Approach
Assess for
rollout
Model Service
Viability
Smart Services
Candidates
Develop
Roadmap
Implement
Establish candidate
list of potential
smart services.
Sources include
• Customer
Segmentation &
Needs analysis
• Experience
Lifecycles
Assess services
based on key criteria:
• Compliance /
regulator
obligations
• Mandated need
• Existing
precedence
• Completeness of
existing
precedence
Develop model to
evaluate costs and
revenues for
potential smart
services
Develop roadmap
highlighting
• Services for
Launch
• Services to be
rolled-out at a
later date
Implement all technical
and operational
requirements.
Overall list of
candidate smart
services
Decision Analysis
Framework
Services broken
down by:
• Critical for
Launch
• Potential
candidate for
Launch
• For later rollout /
further
consideration
Assumptions used to
model services
• Demand
estimates
• Infrastructure
costs
• Service footprints
• Rate plans
Smart Services
Roadmap
Approach to launch
new smart services
Updated architecture
Updated functional
requirements
Technical
Requirements
Legal Requirements
Authorities
Involvements

22. 22
Potential Smart City Operations Blueprint
Resident
Business Owner
Field Force
City Operator
DS Employee
officer
City
Administrator
Actors Channels Presentation
Layer
Transportation
Public Safety
Water
Management
Energy
Management
City Planning &
Operation
Command
Center
DS Staff Center
Services
Layer
Collaboration
Services
Business
Services
Security
Services
Analytics
Services
Integration
Services
Data
Services
Shared Data
Services
Shared Apps
Services DataAggregator
DeviceProtocolConnector
DeviceController
Gateway
Service
Provider
Systems
GPS &
Wireless
Traffic Signal
Controller
Social
Media
Weather
RSS Feed
SCADA
Systems
Smart Energy Meter
CCTV Camera
Police Patrol
Hospital
Street Digital Signage
Business
Service Center

23. Smart City Services for Dubai South (example)
There are many business applications for Smart City services in many industries like Visibility
Services (Track & Trace) for Logistics, Shipping, Airports, Cargo, etc.
Industry bodies
Third parties
Visibility Services
Partner / Supplier / Customer
Airports
Asset visibility
People visibility
Package visibility
Vehicle visibility
Airlines 3PL
Transportation
operators
Businesses
Individuals
The lack of end to end solutions like tracking any type of logistics model and shipping of goods is always
impacting the revenue and cost optimizations for companies in the eco-system
Smart City services like Visibility Services could influence how urban planning is happening
like changing the roads modeling to improve time and movements of trucks and cars. That could
result of major optimization of investment on roads and bridges infrastructure.

24. Manufacturing Third Party Logistics
Trusted Shipper
& Manifest
Verification
Other
Shipper
100% Scan
Air Cargo
Facility
Air Cargo
LineCertified
Carrier
Random
Scan
Customs or
Authorities
Trusted/Frequent Shipper
Manifest Review
IoT
Read
IoT-
Read
IoT
Read
Secure
Package
IoT
ApplicationIoT
Control
Suggested Operation Model of Visibility Services by Dubai South
Goods move from different locations / zones during f shipping and storage. Tracking is critical for all
parties involved to ensure the goods are really maintained the way it should be and to know the
exact time of receiving or being monitored during its transportation to avoid theft or burglary

25. Strategic Impact Of Smart Dubai South On Expo2020
Using Visibility Services model as example
Using Visibility Services, the exhibition will be managed smoothly and fully controlled
using track and trace services.
Movement of Goods and Security of Goods will be managed using complete control
from Safety, Security and Authorities related to the Dubai Expo 2020.
Full Control of Visitors, Goods, Security and Safety Across Dubai that will lead to no
need for Tax Exempts/Tax Refund, Customs Check In / Check Out.
Reductions of investment and manpower in a very significant level during any major
event like Dubai Expo, Dubai AirShow, International Sports Events, etc.
Having the “Most Livable” event of World Expo to be using latest Technologies
A “Memorable Event” for every Visitor.
a
a
a
a
a
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25
For every smart service Dubai South could introduce,
there will be significant positive economic, business,
operational and financial impact on Dubai and UAE.

26. Investment Approach...
There are many alternative options for Investment and Partnership Models that some more to a state level like
Dubai level and some fits more economic clusters like Dubai South. For comparison, Songdo (Incheon, S. Korea),
Kista (Sweden) and alike are started as economic and real estate development.
The city planner allows any qualified
company or business organization to
build city infrastructure and provide
city services. The city planner,
however, will impose some regulatory
obligations.
The Smart City planner appoints
trusted partner to develop the city
infrastructure and services. The
partner operates and manages the
smart city services. The city planner
has no role further. Most of the
public-private partnerships are built
using this model
The Smart City planner appoints
trusted partner to build the city
infrastructure and provide Smart city
services for a particular area within a
time period. After completing the
agreed period, the partner to
handover the infrastructure and
services to the Smart city planner.
The Smart City Planner (State Gov. /
Semi Gov., Master Developers
independently builds the city
infrastructure and delivers Smart City
services. The operation and
maintenance of the services are fully
under the planner’s control.
Build
Own
Operate
(BOO)
Build
Operate
Manage
(BOM)
Open
Business
Model
(OBM)
Build
Operate
Transfer
(BOT)
1
3
2
4
It is important to be looking out-of-the-box to get best possible investment and
partnership model that shall be adding more strength to Dubai South in coming years.

27. Forecasted Characteristics of Smart Dubai South
27
Buildings
• The Dubai South will have tens of millions of square feet of property either owned by Dubai South or business
partners.
• Smart Building Platform will help improve the maintenance space and management across Dubai South
buildings and can cover privately owned buildings as well.
Traffic
• Once developed fully, Dubai South will be a busy area of Dubai with huge traffic coming into the airport and the
logistics transportation as well as commercial and residential buildings with hundreds of thousands people
moving and living within Dubai South every day.
• Big Data will help make transportation more efficient and reduce pollution.
Airport
• Tens of millions of passengers pass now through DXB and that will grow to be over 100million passengers in
ALMaktoum Airport by 2025.
• IoT technology will help Airport Management and Dubai South to manage movement of Goods, People,
Staff, Cargo and Vehicles in/out Airport to Dubai South. Safety will be a huge advantage using IoT Sensory
Technology and Identification Technology.
Physical Assets
• Dubai South will have thousands of street lights and fire hydrants.
• Using IoT and M2M technologies will help in managing and maintaining these assets for best conditions
and efficiency.

28. Forecasted Characteristics of Smart Dubai South
28
Special Events
• Special events like Dubai AirShow, MRO Show, Expo2020 and similar will have more than 30million people
visiting Dubai South area and the Expo2020 during coming 4 years.
• Smart City Platform can integrate and visualize critical information across city department including Fire,
Police, and emergency responders to help coordinate and plan special events.
Safety
• Safety of properties and entering and exiting from safe zones like logistics or aviation zones and cargo
handlers, etc., are critical especially when Expo2020 and Airport and Dubai South construction work then later
on the during operations.
• Smart Surveillance and IoT will enable most detailed monitoring for any activity or movement at any
location at any moment.
Water
• Water is a scarce resource that needs full control and efficient use.
• Smart City platform will help in managing the consumption for public landscaping, commercial buildings,
and private household using different means and approaches.
Lighting
• Electricity consumption in street lighting and public places is a high cost in any city or country.
• Smart Lighting and LiFi will help in reducing the energy consumed and save in expenses besides providing
connectivity using LiFi for IoT devices, Smart Vehicles, Visibility sensors and safety surveillance devices

29. Making it happen
‘Making it happen: A roadmap for cities and local public services to achieve outcomes’,
PwC’s Public Sector Research Centre, 2011.
Investment need to be handled in the context
of creative funding, prioritization and the need
to collaborate on the delivery of services with a
wide range of stakeholders (private sector,
citizens).
A holistic approach is needed that combines multiple areas for social,
economic and environmental development and the measurement of
outcomes for smart city initiatives.
So, between setting the smart city vision and
being able to deliver an integrated set of smart
solutions and services that enhance the quality
of living and enhance a city’s competitiveness,
there is a set of key success factors to address.

30. Dubai South
“City of You”
Building The Smart Center of Dubai’s Tomorrow

31. “The greater danger for most of us is not
that our aim is too high and we miss it,
but that it is too low and we reach it.”
THANK YOU