eThekwini Municipality strengthens ties with UAE for urban innovation and sustainability
eThekwini Municipality has embarked on a strategic engagement mission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to propel sustainable urban development and advance its transport systems.
Led by City Manager Musa Mbhele, the delegation aims to foster collaborations that leverage the UAE’s cutting-edge infrastructure innovations to reinvent Durban’s urban landscape.
This mission is pivotal and comes on the heels of fruitful discussions with influential institutions in Abu Dhabi, which set the groundwork for further collaboration.
The primary focus is on enhancing integrated mobility, refining urban planning, and adopting progressive digital governance practices.
Among the core objectives of this international mission are:
- Finalising agreements with the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) to introduce forward-looking transport innovations tailored to the eThekwini region.
- Exploring technology-driven investment platforms with Maqta Technologies, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, concentrating on digital investment portals like the Single Window and the proposed “Invest in KZN” initiative.
- Establishing the Abu Dhabi-Dubai-KZN knowledge exchange corridor, which focuses on smart logistics, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced technologies in customs clearance and risk analytics through platforms such as BorderVision, RiskLab, and BorderMeter.
Mbhele, accompanied by Project Executive Lungelo Buthelezi and Acting Head of eThekwini Transport Authority Nelisiwe Zama, engaged in constructive discussions with senior leaders from Dubai’s Department of Municipalities and Transport.
The exchanges centred around creating urban spaces that are interconnected, sustainable, and equipped with intelligent mobility features.
“As urban landscapes evolve, the integration of smart transport systems, thoughtful urban planning, and municipal coordination has become more crucial than ever,” Mbhele stated.
“We are in the United Arab Emirates to leverage international best practices. By embracing innovation and strategic planning, we pave the way for a connected and resilient urban future for our city of Durban.”
The delegation’s discussions further extended into Abu Dhabi’s intelligent mobility and digital infrastructure sectors, where Dr Emily Mogano, Vice President of Partnerships at Sheikh Maktoum NEO Technologies Office, welcomed the burgeoning collaboration. Additionally, senior representatives, including Minister Abdulla Al Hashmi, Director of Traffic Systems at the ITC, imparted valuable insights into Abu Dhabi’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
They discussed innovations in smart mobility, transport infrastructure optimisation, and safety enhancements powered by state-of-the-art technologies.
Minister Al Hashmi reaffirmed the UAE’s eagerness to collaborate with eThekwini, promising solutions refined specifically for Durban’s unique urban setting.
IOL