Dr. Shadi Atalla

Associate Professor and Director of the Computing & Information Systems Program, University of Dubai

"With extensive experience in AI, IoT, and digital transformation, I am excited to lead this innovative project integrating smart digital twin technology into high-rise building management. My research focuses on leveraging data-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and urban resilience, and this project provides a great opportunity to apply that expertise. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, I look forward to contributing to Dubai’s vision for a more intelligent and sustainable urban landscape."

The SDT-HBM project, entitled “Smart Digital Twin Platform for High-Rise Building Management in Dubai”, aims to develop a groundbreaking Smart Digital Twin Platform (SDT-HBM) to revolutionize high-rise building management in Dubai. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and data-driven analytics, the platform will integrate real-time IoT data into a 3D Building Information Model (BIM) to enhance sustainability, operational efficiency, and resilience. The SDT-HBM aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy by optimizing energy usage, reducing carbon footprints, and improving building performance. Key innovations include AI-driven predictive maintenance, blockchain-secured data integrity, and an interactive dashboard using AR/VR for advanced decision-making. The platform’s scalability across Dubai's high-rise ecosystem supports city-wide communication, positioning it as a cornerstone of Dubai’s cognitive smart city vision.

The project is directly aligned with the Dubai RDI Grant Program, addressing priorities in Smart Built Infrastructure and Cognitive Cities. It introduces transformative solutions to Dubai’s unique urban challenges, integrating AI, IoT, and BIM to achieve sustainable urban development. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the project brings together experts from the University of Dubai, the University of Sharjah, Qatar University, and Macquarie University, ensuring a comprehensive and innovative approach to urban management challenges.

Deliverables include a scalable Smart Digital Twin platform, AI-driven methods for real-time data integration, a pilot digital twin model of the 23 Marina Tower, and secure, energy-efficient AI models for building management. The findings will be disseminated through academic publications and industry workshops, fostering global impact.

This project establishes Dubai as a global leader in smart city technologies, creating scalable and globally relevant solutions for high-rise management. It significantly advances sustainability, energy optimization, and resident satisfaction while driving economic growth and innovation. By addressing the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals, the SDT-HBM sets a benchmark for future urban digital twin platforms worldwide.