AUDI Holds its 18th Webinar Titled “Sustainable Smart Lighting for Future Urban Environments”

As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive urban planning across the Arab Region, the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) held the 18th session of its “Cities in Action” series, bringing together a wide range of specialists and professionals in urban development.

Dr. Abdulla Difalla, the webinar moderator and urban planning professor, welcomed the participants and gave an overview of the “Cities in Action” series, highlighting its importance in promoting dialogue among specialists and urban development experts throughout the Arab region.

The meeting then began with a presentation by H.E. Eng. Abdulaziz Farid Al Azem, and CEO of Lighting Design Tech Services (DTS), and a seasoned expert in architectural and lighting design with more than 20 years of experience in transforming architectural spaces.

Eng. Al Azm delivered a presentation on smart sustainable lighting for creating future urban environments, highlighting cutting-edge smart lighting technologies and their impact on boosting energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing urban quality of life, safety, and security. He showcased leading international examples, including London and Copenhagen, where lighting systems are integrated with smart infrastructure, stressing the crucial role of data and centralized control in creating sustainable urban solutions.

Additionally, Eng. Al Azm emphasized that smart lighting has become a key component of modern urban planning due to its ability to deliver dynamic solutions based on user behavior and its potential integration with Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. He also highlighted notable local examples, including lighting projects in Al-Ula, Diriyah, and the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), illustrating how these initiatives blend architectural aesthetics with technological innovation.

Al Azm concluded his presentation by highlighting that the future of urban lighting lies in the increased use of artificial intelligence and the development of integrated lighting systems that enhance sustainability and advance cities toward smart transformation.

At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Abdulla Difalla thanked the attendees for their participation, praised Eng. Abdulaziz Al Azm for his significant contribution to the discussion, and highlighted the importance of continuing these meetings to foster knowledge and experience sharing among urban development specialists in the Arab world.