Urban Resilience: Designing Smart Cities for Crisis Preparedness

Mr. Nael Ibrahim Alhegeil

Mayor’s Deputy of Digital Transformation and Smart Cities | Eastern Province Municipality

Mr. Nael Ibrahim Alhegeil is the Eastern Province Municipality Mayor’s Deputy of Digital Transformation and Smart Cities at the Eastern Province Municipality since 2022. With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation and strategic planning, he specializes in developing digital businesses, enabling smart city services, and applying global best practices. He spearheaded the establishment of the Center for Common/City Operating Picture (COP) in Al-Khobar and played a key role in elevating the Municipality’s national digital transformation rankings from 2023 to 2025. Under his leadership, the Municipality earned national accreditations and multiple regional and international awards, including the Gold Stevie Award and the 2025 Gulf Sustainability Award (GSA) for Best Use of AI in government sector. He has also received the Mayor’s Award for Excellence and the Arab E-Government Shield for his contributions to digital infrastructure and projects addressing visual pollution.

Moderator: Dr. Abdullah Dhifallah

Urban researcher and expert in Saudi urban affairs, holds a PhD in urban planning from Sheffield University.