Smart Cities/Smart Design

Client/
Confidential

Project/
Smart Cities/Smart Design

Location/
Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE

Project Team/
Lead Design Consultant/ Studio DS
Masterplan

In 2014, ‘54 per cent of the world’s population lived in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66 per cent by 2050. Projections show that urbanization combined with the overall growth of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban populations by 2050, with close to 90 per cent of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa,’ according to the United Nations.[1]

Designing for such a significant growth in population along with climate change is a global challenge for all cities, new and old, emerging and established, big and small. New infrastructure developments should address this challenge and account for political aspirations too.

Key to effective cities of the future is smart design, where citizens and government provide a fair exchange of data to enrich the lives of the cities inhabitants. Studio DS have developed a dynamic design tool which enable analysis of masterplan developments, from usage, massing, mixed use facilities and other determining factors.

The project explored multiple sites within the state of Ras Al Khaimah central with live architectural and commercial analysis carried out through our bespoke script.   

[1] United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects 2014 and 2017 Update.