Medina recorded progress in 11 places in the global index of smart cities for the year (IMD) issued by the International Institute for Management Development, during the current year 2024 AD, thus becoming ranked 74th in the world after it was ranked (85) on the list of world cities index compared to last year. 2023 AD.
Medina maintained its seventh rank in the Arab world in the list of cities included in the index, which is issued annually, and highlights the level of digital progress and readiness of the world’s cities and its residents’ awareness of the efforts made to make their cities smart. It contributes to achieving a balance between the economic and technical aspects, enhancing the human dimensions and achieving population aspirations and needs, and supports... Urban development involves building smart cities and transforming public places into attractive points that meet the aspirations of residents and visitors, achieving optimal use of resources and reducing carbon emissions, as well as employing digital technologies to improve the quality of life.
The efforts led by the Medina Region Development Authority, in cooperation with its partners in all government sectors, have contributed to raising the level of coordination to activate digital initiatives and achievements in various sectors, which contributes to achieving an advanced rank at the level of smart cities in the world, and reflects the progress experienced by the Kingdom in general and Medina in general. Especially in the field of smart cities, developing its strategies to serve residents and visitors based on urban planning and development methods, and benefiting from the programs of supporting agencies in the comprehensive development system, such as the Quality of Life Program, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Municipal and Rural Affairs. And housing, in line with the care and concern of the wise leadership - may God support it - within the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Medina was included in the list of the IMD Smart Cities Index in the year 2021 AD as the second Saudi city after the capital, Riyadh, at that time, to be on the list of smart cities in the world that measures the extent of cities’ readiness and use of advanced technologies in building smart and sustainable societies, and after that, Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Jeddah joined the list. The list over the past years, and Al-Khobar was recently included, making it the fifth Saudi city on the list of the top 100 cities globally in the IMD Smart Cities Index, which covers the evaluation of 5 main areas, including health and safety, cultural activities, mobility, governance and participation, in addition to employment and education opportunities.