Climate-smart cities in the MENA region: Promise and pitfalls
Jun 04, 2024Around two-thirds of the population in the Middle East and North Africa lives in urban settlements and the region’s population is projected to double by 2050, exposing a growing number of people to intensifying natural and climate hazards. As a result, cities will need to take additional steps to boost climate resilience and advance decarbonization efforts, including through climate-informed urban planning measures like compact, transit-oriented development, urban greening initiatives, and a focus on green buildings. With this in mind, regional governments have recently adopted the concept of “smart cities,” aiming to utilize technology and sustainable practices to address the challenges of urbanization and climate change.
Spotlight on COP28
Explore MEI's latest coverage and in-depth analysis on COP28, the pivotal 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference meeting in Dubai from Nov. 30-Dec. 12.
About the Director
Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud
Mohammed Mahmoud's areas of expertise include climate change adaptation, water policy analysis, and scenario planning. Previously, he was a senior policy analyst with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, where he provided research, modeling, and analysis on inter-state Colorado River Basin programs and binational water issues between the United States and Mexico.