AUDI Director General Participates in Al-Futtaim Dialogue Session on Integrating Urbanization and Mobility in Gulf Cities

Cities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are undergoing a pivotal period of rapid urban expansion, underscoring the urgent need for more integrated and coordinated planning approaches. The scale and pace of this growth require comprehensive strategies that align development with long-term sustainability goals.

As mobility, housing, energy, and digital infrastructure continue to expand simultaneously, adopting a cohesive urban approach has become essential. Such integration ensures that these systems work in harmony, supporting the realization of comprehensive and sustainable development goals across the region.

Against this backdrop, Al-Futtaim Group organized a high-level dialogue session bringing together sector leaders and representatives from government entities, developers, mobility solution providers, and research institutions. The session focused on the importance of integrating urbanization and mobility to shape the future of Gulf cities over the coming decade.

The initiative session was held in collaboration with several key partners, including the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), UN-Habitat, Arup Group, Systemic, and the Emirates Center for Mobility Research (ECMR) at the United Arab Emirates University.

H.E. Dr. Anas Mofarreh Almughairy, Director General of AUDI, made a significant contribution to the discussions, emphasizing the importance of consistent governance frameworks, enhanced intersectoral cooperation, and data-driven planning in addressing the challenges arising from population growth, climate change, and evolving urban demands.

The session concluded that integrated governance models, value-based public-private partnerships, unified data frameworks, and flexible regulatory systems are essential to translating long-term urban visions into practical and implementable solutions. The accompanying work paper further highlighted the importance of holistic planning in building more resilient and efficient cities, while advancing quality of life for urban communities.