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The idea of creating a smart city, where data, sensors and even AI drive new efficiencies, optimise resource use and strengthen community connections, has been around for many years. Still, creating a truly smart city remains a work in progress. Events like the  are attempting to change that.

Starting in 2008 and now in its ninth iteration, the Smart Cities Symposium is run by the University of Bahrain (UoB) and supported by the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Each year, research papers are submitted to the symposium and subsequently published and indexed in IET Inspec, the IET’s renowned scientific and technical database.

“The concept of the smart city is now known worldwide, popularised by discussions around Industry 4.0, AI and big data,” explains Ebrahim Mattar, professor of robotics and cybernetics at UoB. “The IET Smart Cities Symposium aims to combine all these components into a cohesive idea of what it means to be a smart city. The event uses research about the future prospects of smart cities to drive awareness while serving as a platform to exchange ideas among an international community of academics and industry professionals.”

Given that smart cities will depend heavily on collaboration between multiple stakeholders, the way that the symposium fosters collaboration between academia, government and industry is an important aspect of the event. The event achieves this through the publication of scientific research papers and by hosting talks by keynote speakers.

“The symposium also plays an important role in expanding the research outcomes needed locally,” Mattar says. “Healthcare provides an important example. Our speakers, comprising international researchers and experts, present the latest advancements in healthcare data analysis, image processing for medical applications and healthcare management. This academic and research focus serves as a vital magnet, drawing in other stakeholders like hospitals, healthcare management, government bodies, and various industries. When these diverse groups come together and engage with topics like the impact of healthcare on smart cities, it creates a powerful ripple effect.

In addition, the IET Smart Cities Symposium provides a fantastic opportunity for students and young professionals to engage with smart city concepts and technologies. By featuring expert speakers and thought-provoking panel discussions, the symposium provides a source of inspiration for students, as well as a multitude of networking opportunities.

“Ultimately, the IET Smart Cities Symposium provides a substantial contribution to the region,” Mattar notes. “It provides a dynamic space where groundbreaking ideas are shared, discussions ignite new pathways, and collaborations lead to tangible progress in creating smarter, more efficient and more liveable cities.”

In an age of rapidly evolving information technology and AI, the IET Smart Cities Symposium is more vital than ever. Recent technological developments have the potential to revolutionise urban landscapes, but a clear structure must be created to prevent our cities from simply becoming a mass of disparate, fragmented digital solutions.

“We have to grab the opportunity around smart cities while we can,” Mattar says. “The IET symposium helps us move a step closer to doing so.”