Saudi city of Alkhobar is recognised as one of world's smartest cities

Becoming the fifth city in Saudi Arabia to achieve smart city status, Alkhobar now ranks alongside technologically advanced urban centres such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.

The annual Smart Cities Index, serves as a key benchmark for assessing the readiness of cities to utilise advanced technologies and create sustainable, smart communities.

The designation of Alkhobar as a smart city emphasises the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to Vision 2030 and the leadership's vision of a digital and prosperous nation. This is reported by Arab News.

Assessing various aspects of urban development, including health, security, education, mobility, governance and cultural activities, the IMD Index takes a comprehensive look at the economic, technological and social aspects of city life.

Smart cities use digital technologies to optimise resource use, reduce carbon footprints, increase citizen engagement and create dynamic public spaces that meet the needs of residents.

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