CW Expert Interview | Matthew Tribe on smart cities and sustainability

Summary

In this construction week's expert interview, Matthew Tribe discusses the pivotal role of sustainability in smart city development, emphasizing energy efficiency, water sources, and waste management. He highlights the importance of citizen well-being in design, advocating for human-centric urban planning. Tribe also underscores the significance of technology like AI, IoT, and machine learning in enhancing city performance and quality of life. He addresses the construction industry's slow tech adoption and the challenges of implementing smart cities, including unclear goals and lack of collaboration.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Sustainability is a key feature in smart city development, emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainable water sources, and waste management.
• 🏙️ The built environment's contribution to environmental degradation is significant, necessitating the optimization of resource use.
• 🚀 Technology, such as AI, IoT, and connected buildings, plays a crucial role in collecting data to improve city performance and citizen well-being.
• 👥 Citizen well-being is paramount in smart city design, focusing on human-centric approaches that enhance quality of life.
• 🌱 The ability to connect with nature and access open spaces is vital for mental health and overall well-being.
• 🔄 Smart cities require a feedback loop between technology and citizens to respond to needs and improve urban living.
• 🛠️ The construction industry is embracing digital transformation, with technologies like robotics and prefabrication improving efficiency.
• 🌐 Smart city technology can enhance air quality and traffic circulation, responding to real-time data to improve urban environments.
• 🚧 Challenges in implementing smart cities include unclear goals, poor execution models, technological latency, and lack of stakeholder collaboration.
• 🌟 The UAE is a forerunner in smart city development, setting challenges and embracing technological advancements in construction.

Q & A

What is the significance of sustainability in smart city development?

Sustainability is crucial in smart city development as it involves the efficient use of resources, adaptability of existing buildings, and driving the performance of the built environment towards a greater purpose, thereby addressing the significant contribution of the built environment to environmental degradation.

How does energy efficiency play a role in the construction of smart cities?

Energy efficiency is a key component of smart cities as it involves optimizing the use of resources like bricks, mortar, cement, and water, ensuring that the built environment contributes less to environmental degradation.

What is the importance of citizen well-being in the design phase of smart cities?

Citizen well-being is paramount in the design phase of smart cities, focusing on human-centric design that meets the needs of individuals and communities to ensure a better quality of life and holistic well-being.

How does the ability to connect with nature impact the quality of life in smart cities?

Connecting with nature and having access to open spaces can significantly enhance the quality of life, improving mental health and promoting an active lifestyle, which is a key aspect of smart city designs.

What role does technology play in the construction and operation of sustainable smart cities?

Technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and connected buildings is vital for collecting data and responding to the needs of individuals and end users, improving the performance of cities and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.

How does the construction industry's adoption of technology impact the development of smart cities?

The construction industry's adoption of technology, including digital transformation, mechanization, robotics, and prefabrication, can optimize planning, design, and execution processes, reduce waste, and improve timelines, which are essential for the development of smart cities.

What challenges do cities face in becoming smart cities, and how can they be overcome?

Challenges include unclear goals, poor execution models, latency in technology, lack of integration, and collaboration between stakeholders. These can be overcome by focusing on case-by-case basis solutions, real-time data analysis, and adapting to dramatic changes.

How does smart city technology improve air quality in urban environments?

Smart city technology can analyze data in real time to adapt vehicle movement patterns and respond to changes in air quality, thereby improving the overall urban environment.

What is the role of modular construction and prefabrication in the construction industry's advancement?

Modular construction and prefabrication play a significant role in the construction industry's advancement by allowing for more efficient use of resources, faster construction times, and reduced waste.

How does the UAE stand out in terms of adopting technology in the construction industry?

The UAE is a forerunner in adopting technology in the construction industry, setting challenges and embracing digital transformation, which positions it as a leader in the region.

What are the benefits of technology in the planning and design stages of construction projects?

Technology in planning and design stages of construction projects allows for waste reduction, improved timelines, and the incorporation of various expertise to ensure community well-being is at the forefront of every design decision.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Sustainability in Smart City Development

In this interview, Matthew Tribe, Executive Director at Callison RTKL, discusses the importance of sustainability in the development of smart cities. He emphasizes the need for efficient use of resources, including energy, water, and waste management, to minimize the environmental impact of urban areas. Tribe highlights the role of architecture and infrastructure in addressing past environmental degradation and improving the quality of life for citizens. He also stresses the importance of designing with people in mind, focusing on human-centric urban planning that enhances well-being and connects individuals with nature. The conversation touches on the significance of technology, such as AI, machine learning, and IoT, in collecting data to improve city performance and respond to the needs of citizens.

05:01

🏗️ The Impact of Technology on Construction for Smart Cities

Matthew Tribe continues the discussion by addressing the construction industry's traditionally slow adoption of technology and how it needs to change to meet the demands of smart cities. He points out the importance of digital transformation in the industry, mentioning the use of mechanization, robotics, autonomous construction techniques, and modular construction to optimize the planning, design, and execution processes. Tribe also discusses the UAE's role as a leader in adopting these technologies and the challenges faced by cities worldwide in becoming smart cities, such as unclear goals, poor execution models, and lack of integration. He suggests that focusing on real-time data analysis and adapting to dramatic changes can help overcome these challenges and improve the quality of life for citizens.

Keywords

💡Smart Cities

Smart Cities refer to urban areas that utilize technology and data to improve the quality and performance of urban services, including energy, transportation, and public safety. In the video, Matthew Tribe discusses how smart cities incorporate energy efficiency, sustainable water sources, and technology adoption to enhance citizen well-being. The concept is central to the discussion on how urban environments can adapt and improve to meet the demands of modern living.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video relates to the use of resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Matthew Tribe emphasizes the importance of sustainability in the design of built environments, highlighting the need for efficient use of resources like water and energy, and the reduction of environmental degradation.

💡Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. In the video, Tribe speaks about integrating energy efficiency into the development of smart cities, which includes optimizing the use of resources like bricks, mortar, and cement, and ensuring that the built environment contributes less to environmental degradation.

💡Water Sources

Sustainable sources of water are those that can be used without depleting the resource or causing significant harm to the environment. The script mentions the optimum use of water as a key element in the development of smart cities, indicating the need for strategies that ensure water is available and clean for both current and future populations.

💡Technology Adoption

Technology adoption refers to the process by which new technologies are integrated into existing systems and workflows. In the interview, Tribe discusses the importance of adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT to improve the performance of smart cities and to respond to the needs of citizens more effectively.

💡Citizen Well-being

Citizen well-being is a measure of how well the needs of citizens are being met in terms of health, happiness, and quality of life. The video emphasizes the importance of designing urban environments with people in mind, focusing on human-centric design that enhances the quality of life and mental health, as well as promoting an active lifestyle.

💡Human-Centric Design

Human-centric design is an approach to creating products, services, or environments that focus on the needs and experiences of people. In the script, Tribe talks about how urban design should be centered around the needs of individuals and communities to ensure that every intervention contributes to a better quality of life.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The video discusses the role of AI in smart cities, including its potential to collect data, respond to the needs of individuals, and improve the performance of urban environments.

💡Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and connectivity that enables these objects to connect, collect, and exchange data. The script mentions IoT as a key technology in smart cities for improving traffic circulation, air quality, and waste management.

💡Connected Buildings

Connected buildings are structures that integrate various systems and devices to communicate and interact with each other, often through the internet. In the video, Tribe discusses how connected buildings can contribute to the construction and operation of sustainable smart cities by improving energy efficiency and enhancing the overall performance of the built environment.

💡Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new or modify existing business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. The video touches on how the construction industry needs to embrace digital transformation to optimize planning, design, and execution processes, making construction more efficient and responsive to technological advancements.

Highlights

Matthew Tribe discusses key elements of smart cities including energy efficiency, sustainable water sources, technology adoption, and citizen well-being.

Sustainability is integral to creative design solutions in the built environment.

The need for resource optimization has been magnified in the past six to eight months.

The built environment significantly contributes to environmental degradation, necessitating careful resource use.

Architecture and infrastructure can play a major role in rectifying past environmental wrongs.

Citizen well-being is paramount in the design and architecture phase of construction.

Human-centric design focuses on the needs of individuals and the community.

The ability to connect with nature and open spaces enhances quality of life and mental health.

Technology like AI, machine learning, IoT, and connected buildings is crucial for smart city construction and operation.

Data collection and feedback loops are essential for responding to the needs of individuals and end users.

Investment in tech startups within the built environment is key to improving city performance.

Smart cities require a holistic approach, considering various data sets and real-time responses.

The construction industry needs to embrace digital transformation for better planning, design, and execution.

Technological advancements can reduce waste, improve timelines, and optimize construction processes.

The UAE is a forerunner in adopting technology in the construction industry.

Challenges in implementing smart cities include unclear goals, poor execution models, and lack of integration.

Focus and case-by-case basis are necessary for addressing the challenges of smart cities.

Smart cities should enhance and augment the quality of life for citizens rather than solve all problems.

Transcripts

hello everyone and thanks for joining us

on another episode

of construction week's expert interview

series where as you know we speak to the

top experts

within the region's built environment to

gain insights on the latest in

construction

infrastructure real estate and more

joining us today

is matthew tribe the executive director

at callison rtkl

who will be taking us through some of

the key elements of smart cities

including energy efficiency sustainable

sources of water

technology adoption and citizen

well-being

[Music]

to get the show started thank you

matthew for joining us here today

it's an absolute pleasure and thank you

for inviting me

it's a pleasure to have you here with us

matthew how is sustainability becoming a

key feature

for the development of smart cities how

will energy efficiency sustainable

sources of water

and the optimum use of waste be to such

future cities

well i think sustainability has always

been part and parcel of

uh well thought out creative design

solutions in the built environment the

last six to eight months

has really magnified the need for us to

use all our resources extremely wisely

and driving the use of those resources

in the most

optimized way and that's whether it's

bricks mortar cement whether it's the

use of water

and we have to be very sensible as a way

we consume

the finite resources of the world and so

when we are looking at

the built environment we know that the

contribution of the built environment to

the degradation of environment is

significant and so we have to look at

the way

that we use the finite resources the way

we adapt our existing building stock

and how we drive the performance of the

built environment to a greater purpose

so i think from from a profession i

believe

the architecture and the infrastructure

around the built environment can play a

major role

in writing some of the wrongs from the

past

and how is citizen well being taken into

consideration during this design and

architecture phase

of construction well you have to design

with

people first in mind that it has to be

paramount i think we've seen

the growth of urban destinations which

are

very much orientated around the car and

i think in some respects

dubai kind of focused around

the mobility in the private vehicle

we very much focus on the kind of

human-centric design

focusing on the needs of the individual

needs of the citizens and the community

at large to ensure that

every intervention contributes to a

better quality of life

and ensures that where possible we bring

together a whole range of expertise

to ensure that the well-being of

our communities at the forefront of

every design decision

and we've seen recently that during kind

of our

constrained lifestyles the ability to

connect with nature

and the ability to go out into open

space

really does enhance our quality of life

it

improves our mental health and always

active lifestyle creates a whole

holistic

well-being concept which we like to

pursue in our designs

and one thing that i found fascinating

is the ability

for the our clients and the

administrators and governments to really

embrace this

as a major stay of creating sustainable

communities going into the future

for an industry that has historically

lagged in the adoption of technology

how important according to you is

artificial intelligence

or machine learning iot and connected

buildings in order to construct

and operate a sustainable smart city

i think all these

pieces of it is very important and they

are conduit to collect data

and that data is there if used wisely to

allow us

to kind of respond to the needs of the

individuals and the end users more

appropriately but also there's a

feedback loop

which allows the end user to connect

with

not only the the building operator the

architects and designers but also the

administrators and the government so

i think smart cities and the use of

technology to improve

the performance of our cities to allow

us to respond to

dramatic changes we've seen or just to

enhance the quality of life of the

citizens is very important so for

instance

as an organization we invest in tech

startups

within the built environment and have

done for a number of years

whether it's looking at uh internet of

things to help us improve

the the circulation of traffic

look at air quality look at the

management of our open spaces

uh how can we improve uh waste

collection uh

in our communities and there's many

other kind of examples so

it's not one-size-fits-all when it comes

to smart cities yes we've got a lot of

technology and we can apply it

but we have to understand the value that

it brings back to the communities that

we're investing in

speaking about the value that bringing

to the communities

on one hand we talk about construction

needs to

change in order to meet the needs of

smart cities but on the other hand we

also see that the demand for smart

cities revolutionizing

the way we view construction right from

the design and planning stages

through to construction and operation um

is this something that you agree with

that

um it's impacting each other it is i

think

uh it's a well referenced quote that the

construction industry

is the second on the bottom of the list

of taking up technology

advancement uh and i think the one below

uh construction industry is agriculture

so we need we need to advance

release the kind of the digital

transformation and we see

the ability to influence and optimize

the planning design

and execution process whether it's

through

mechanization or robotics whether it's

the use of autonomous

kind of construction techniques and

module modular construction

and prefabrication but also in the

planning of the project and the design

of the project

using um software platforms in our

industry allows us to

reduce waste it it improves timelines

and so there are many facets that

technology can improve the construction

industry and you are seeing it

uh being applied every day um

and i think as as a region uae is very

much at the forerunner of that

and it's setting great challenges for

the industry going forward so

we're very excited as a company but as

an industry

uh change is coming and it's coming as

as fast as a

hyperloop train so it's very very

exciting

speaking of change we've also seen

certain challenges that are being faced

certain cities around the world have

struggled to become smart as they say

due to unclear goals poor execution

models

a latency in technology like you

mentioned a lack of integration

maybe even a lack of collaboration

between stakeholders what according to

you are the challenges facing the

successful implementation

of smart cities let's say in the uae the

middle east and how can they be overcome

i think the the challenge with smart

cities because it's all

it's all encompassing and you need to

really drive focus

and it's it's on a case-by-case basis so

for instance

when you look at cities in europe

there's issues around air quality

and question so applying smart city

technology in real time

improves the ability to move people

around the city

uh reflect any changes or disruption to

those systems so again

uh responding to dramatic change in real

time but it also is using a number of

different data sets so

we know that urban environments

particularly in and maybe in the us

air quality is extremely poor and

similar in

cities in our region and so by able to

kind of analyzing data in real time you

can respond by

adapting uh vehicle movement patterns

for instance

and and i think that's the critical

thing

thinking smartsee will solve all the

world's problems is not going to happen

but it can certainly enhance and augment

a better quality of life for the

citizens i absolutely enjoyed this

discussion matthew and i'm sure our

audience enjoyed it as well

thank you for sharing your thoughts with

us today it was great having you on the

show

for those of you watching feel free to

comment like share and subscribe

for more such videos with experts in the

industry

that's all for now and until next time

goodbye

[Music]

you