The 13th edition of Cityscape witnessed a panel discussion that focused on technology within compounds and communities – the new way of living. As proptech (property technology) becomes an essential element in improving quality of life and elevating living standards, the panelists discussed how modern technologies can be utilized to create a more advanced and comfortable living experience for residents.
The panel emphasized the crucial role of community management applications and smart city solutions in shaping a sustainable future for Egypt. The speakers explored the need to study the impact of these solutions on individuals and society, and how they can contribute to a more sustainable and efficient living environment.
During the discussion, key topics included home automation, artificial intelligence, and virtual worlds, which were highlighted as technological elements that could play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life within residential communities and potentially become integral to future lifestyles.
The panel was moderated by Khaled El-Barmawy, journalist and digital media expert, with participation from Eng. Sherif Nabil, Customer Success Account Manager at Microsoft Egypt; Eng. Ahmed El-Attal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of El-Attal Holding; Hesham Mehran, Chief Business Officer of Orange Egypt; and Eng. Mohamed Badran, VP Electrical Products at Siemens Egypt.
Eng. Sherif Nabil, Customer Success Account Manager at Microsoft Egypt, explained the concept of cloud computing, stating that it relies on a large network of interconnected devices, allowing the collection of all information in one place. He noted that customers are now demanding greater privacy, while AI applications help identify unnoticed situations by integrating with human inputs.
He emphasized that artificial intelligence will not eliminate jobs, but rather change their nature.
He also highlighted the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in offering effective solutions, such as alerting users when water consumption increases. Nabil shared Microsoft’s experience in Qatar, where they employed “Digital Twin” technology to map locations and predict human traffic flows to avoid congestion. Regarding data, he stressed its importance in predicting future events, enabling project owners to identify potential malfunctions and take preventive measures.
Eng. Ahmed El-Attal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of El-Attal Holding, discussed how real estate developers select smart solutions, mentioning that his company held dialogue sessions with clients, the marketing team, and the engineering management to explore ways to achieve a competitive advantage. He pointed out that the main client concerns were related to maintenance discrepancies within projects, which imposed a significant financial burden.
In response, El-Attal’s company turned to technology to reduce operating costs amid rising prices. They selected Siemens to provide smart solutions for the project, including security cameras and systems for saving water and electricity.
He further mentioned that the company partnered with Orange to offer smart solutions from the moment residents enter the project until they reach their homes. El-Attal emphasized that data is the most crucial element in all sectors and must be utilized to provide effective solutions to challenges.
Hesham Mehran, Chief Business Officer of Orange Egypt, outlined Orange’s role in connecting equipment and tools within residential projects. He noted that the biggest challenge was the ability to make decisions at the moment an error occurs. Using the collected data, any issue within the project can be detected, helping to make informed decisions, all aimed at improving residents’ lives.
Mehran confirmed that Orange continually updates its systems via the cloud, enabling them to provide innovative solutions that can be applied to other projects. He also emphasized the importance of investing in the available resources and capacities in Egypt, with a focus on investing in youth to drive technological advancement.
Eng. Mohamed Badran, VP Electrical Products at Siemens Egypt, highlighted that delivering smart solutions in the field of electricity requires advanced technology. He explained that Siemens introduced smart systems for electricity distribution, which can be monitored and operated through smart grids. These systems collect data related to device performance and operation hours, allowing full control over electricity supply and the ability to conduct maintenance before breakdowns occur.
Badran also pointed to smart applications for managing irrigation systems and saving energy, along with home monitoring systems based on artificial intelligence. He confirmed that while smart applications improve efficiency and provide greater comfort and security for residents, they come with high initial costs.
It is worth noting that Cityscape was established in 2012 and is considered one of the most important regional exhibitions, held in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Cityscape Egypt attracts more than 80 real estate developers and over 40,000 attendees, showcasing hundreds of different projects, with strong participation from various entities and institutions under the patronage of the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities. The 13th edition is the largest in Cityscape’s history, featuring the continuation of the “Cityscape Talks” platform for the second consecutive year to discuss real estate developments, along with the launch of the “Egypt Proptech Challenge” for the first time to support startups in digital transformation.
