The third edition of Smart City Expo dedicated to discussions and reflections on subjects linked to the development of “smart cities” started yesterday in Casablanca and continues until April 20. Placed under the theme “Cities to live in and citizen innovation”, this event will bring together around a hundred speakers to provide solutions to the urbanization of cities via innovative services.
For the year 2018, the organizers have chosen to highlight the city of Shanghai. In this sense, the opening ceremony was marked by the presence of several personalities from the economic and political world such as Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, Mustapha Bakkoury, President of the Council of the Casablanca-Settat region, Khalid Safir Wali, Director General of local authorities, Abdelaziz Omari, President of the Casablanca City Council, Fang Huip Ing, Vice-President of the Committee from Shanghai, and Mohamed Jouahri, general director of Casablanca Events and Animation. Speaking at the opening, Mr. Omari estimated that this event will allow a fruitful exchange between partners and participating delegations. He indicated in fact that“we can no longer think of a “smart city” without thinking of its citizens. He recalled in this context that the city of Casablanca is experiencing open projects which all revolve around the establishment of a sustainable development model which meets the needs of citizens.
Aziz Rabbah stressed for his part that “the use of technologies makes it possible to offer citizens optimal services in all sectors and to reduce the costs of services. He thus emphasized the innovative role of smart cities in facilitating access to services by reducing cost and time. Mr. Bakkoury indicated, for his part, that“this region is experiencing significant economic and demographic development. Any urban development plan must be intended to improve the quality of life of citizens and it is in this spirit that the projects underway in the region are part of.
For his part, Khalid Safir estimated that “the use of technologies will allow cities to develop in a sustainable and solid manner.” And to add that “rapid development necessarily requires the adoption of plans that make technology the major tool for anticipating the future.” Designed to promote the Smart Cities model among professionals and citizens, Smart City Expo Casablanca once again uses the formula that has made it successful since 2016 this year by focusing on two highlights which are the Smart City Expo for B2B and the Smart City Connect for the general public. In just three days, experts from the four corners of the world will debate several themes, namely sustainable development, urban innovation and new technologies, civic technologies, citizen participation and collaborative societies and shared public spaces. Organized by Casablanca Events and Animation, this edition will welcome nearly 85 speakers around keynotes, plenary and parallel sessions.
source: today.ma
