Interior Design's Vital Role in Shaping Smart Cities

Insights from Cityscape WIRE (Woman in Real Estate) Conference on the Future of Smart Cities (part 1)

In the rapidly evolving landscape of urban development, the concept of smart cities has taken center stage. The vision for smart cities, with their advanced technologies and sustainable practices, is not just an ambitious goal but a necessity for the future. In this blog post, we delve into the critical role of interior design in shaping smart cities, drawing insights from the Cityscape WIRE (Woman in Real Estate) Conference on the Future of Smart Cities. We will explore how interior design, often overlooked, can contribute significantly to the realization of smart cities, with a special focus on its relevance in the context of Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia.

The keynotes  Insights

The Cityscape WIRE conference featured two distinguished speakers, Giovanna Carnevali and Sarah Varghese, who offered valuable insights into the future of smart cities.

Giovanna Carnevali, Speaker on "Future of Smart Cities":

Giovanna Carnevali, a seasoned expert in urban planning, is currently the Executive Director of Urban Planning at ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia. She has previously held key positions at NEOM, the European Commission DG Culture, and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation, among others.

Carnevali emphasized the importance of designing cities with an unwavering focus on improving the quality of life for their inhabitants. Historically, cities have been centers for tax collection, waste management, and safety, but the challenges have evolved. Today, over 60% of the global population resides in cities, a number projected to reach 70% by 2050. The urgency of addressing these challenges is now a global concern.

Carnevali stressed the need for a multidisciplinary approach to smart city planning. Successful cities are characterized by flexibility, multidisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Moreover, smart cities rely heavily on big data from various sources worldwide.

It's essential that this revolution in urban planning remains democratic, with citizens at its core, ensuring that the data collected reflects their real actions and needs.

The transformation of smart cities has also spawned a burgeoning industry, generating over 120 billion dollars in annual revenue. Carnevali raised the critical question of whether public servants and governments should hold the reins of decision-making, or if it should remain in the hands of commercial companies.

Carnevali cited examples of smart city initiatives worldwide, including Barcelona, London, and New York. She highlighted that this transformation is also underway in the Middle East, with Dubai already in the midst of its smart city journey, and Riyadh and Neom following suit.

Sarah Varghese, Speaker on "Future of Smart Cities":

Sarah Varghese is an international City Strategist and Urban Designer with over 20 years of experience. Her career has spanned Australia, the Middle East, the UK, and India, and she has held key positions in urban design, project management, and stakeholder consultation. She currently is a Cities Advisory Partner in KPMG Saudi Arabia.

Varghese emphasized that smart city planning transcends gender divides. It's not just about "man in smart cities" but about creating inclusive urban spaces that cater to the needs of all demographics.

She stressed the importance of female leadership in city planning, as it brings diverse perspectives and considerations for mobility and quality of life. Varghese illustrated how cities globally grapple with issues like congestion, pollution, and affordability and how smart solutions are needed to address them.

She cited examples of smart cities worldwide, such as Kuala Lumpur, which utilizes technology not for its sake but to solve real problems. Ghana is another example, where the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are used to ensure a healthy lifestyle for citizens.

My thaughts on Interior Design's Contribution to Smart Cities: Challenges and Opportunities.

Interior design plays a vital role in the development of smart cities. This multifaceted discipline is not limited to aesthetics but encompasses several crucial aspects that contribute to the success of modern urban environments.

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Let me just mention a few:

Material Selection and Sustainability plays a crucial role not only on environmental sustainability but also have impact on local job creation and the broader economy.

Interior design can benefit from data-driven insights, ensuring that spaces are

designed based on actual usage patterns and needs rather than assumptions. This does not inerfere with mastership and creative process of traditional design methods. Human perception and analisys should be integrated with data, not be opposed to it. Data is one of the new tools that we need to have in this industry;

Creating Smart Spaces: Interior designers can incorporate smart technologies into their designs, enhancing the functionality and efficiency of spaces.

Interior design can celebrate cultural heritage by incorporating elements that reflect the history and identity of a city, creating a sense of belonging among its residents.

Challenges and opportunities in the field of interior design within the context of smart cities align closely with the broader goals of urban development and sustainability. Interior designers face challenges in ensuring that their work aligns with the vision of a smart city while addressing the unique needs of diverse populations.

Looking Ahead:

As an interior design consultant to developpers, design studios and suppliers, my role extends beyond aesthetics. It involves advocating for the integration of interior design principles into the broader framework. Interior designers must become more aware of the social, cultural, and environmental impact of their work on the lives of city residents and countries producers of fit-out materials, furniture and equipment.

The interior design , traditionally seen as an artistic industry , must adapt to the technological advancements that are driving the evolution of smart and cognitive cities. By doing so, interior designers can not only enhance the functionality and aesthetics of urban spaces but also contribute to the sustainability and well-being of their communities.

In conclusion, the development of smart cities is a global imperative, and interior designers and developers need to remember their vital role in this transformative process. Interior design helps continue and homogenize user experiences, extending the concept of smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments to the spaces within. These spaces, from interior rooms to objects and artwork, hold the potential to shape lifestyles in the cities of tomorrow, creating a harmonious and vibrant urban fabric.

With user experience as a driving force, we can look forward to a future where our cities are not just smart but also aesthetically pleasing, culturally rich, and sustainable for all their inhabitants.

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