One of the primary objectives of the Palestine Technopark is to empower technology across various sectors to enhance performance and drive development. In this context, the Technopark implemented the Urban Up project in collaboration with local partners, aimed at developing the municipal sector through smart city technologies.
The second phase of the project was launched during the event, focusing on municipalities to introduce them to the possibilities offered by smart city technologies. The initial phase, conducted in May, aimed to familiarize youth with the concept of smart cities. The upcoming phase will focus on networking innovative youth with Palestinian municipalities to devise technical solutions to their challenges.
The event commenced with a session titled "Strengthening Urban Resilience in Palestinian Cities with Smart City Strategies," presented by Dr. Yasser Khaldi, Sustainability Consultant and Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design. This session explored how smart city strategies can drive sustainable solutions and accelerate urban reconstruction in Palestine.
Another session, "Sustainable Smart Mobility Options for Palestinian Cities and Future Connection with Neighboring Countries," was led by Khaled Daher, General Manager of Railway Installation at CAF and Lecturer at Zigurat. This session examined smart mobility solutions, including intelligent traffic systems and public transport, aimed at improving transportation in Palestinian cities.
Further discussions included "Technology Solutions for Local Urban Challenges: Smart Building Applications for Municipalities," presented by Sari Saadeh, CEO and Founder of Electra Control Systems and Chairman of the Palestinian Green Building Council.
In a session addressing the importance of digital transformation for the future of smart cities, Dr. Maysoun Ibrahim, President of the Palestinian Syndicate for Information Sciences and Technology, elaborated on "Smart Sustainable Cities: A Holistic Digital Transformation Towards Future Cities through Community Engagement." She emphasized the essential role of digital infrastructure and community involvement in building smarter, more sustainable urban spaces.
The event featured several innovative startups that presented their solutions:
Snipe was recognized as a leading provider of precision fertilization and irrigation (fertigation) systems in Palestine. Their AgriLive™ platform optimized the quantity of irrigation water and fertilizers, resulting in better crop yield and quality while conserving resources. This solution addressed challenges faced by farmers due to rising operational costs and climate change.
Daleel Key introduced their innovative construction solutions, focusing on enhancing efficiency and sustainability in building projects.
Roots (Global Shapers Ramallah) aimed to promote sustainability by turning organic food waste into natural compost. Their initiative helped reduce organic waste and produced healthy organic fertilizer, supporting sustainable agriculture in Palestine.
Green Way showcased an IoT-based system that transformed ordinary trash bins into smart, eco-friendly waste management solutions through the integration of hardware sensors and software.
Solunable specialized in renewable energy and sustainable solutions, providing energy auditing, smart building management systems, and economic options for sustainable practices.
These startups provided municipalities with opportunities to enhance their projects through eco-friendly, efficient, and economical solutions. By adopting these innovations, municipalities were able to achieve significant savings in operational costs and improve service delivery while supporting sustainable urban development.
