E-Governance and Its Role in Infrastructure Services of UAE, Case Study—Dubai

Abstract

As per World Bank (www.worldbank.org) definition (AOEMA report): ‘E-Government refers to the use by government agencies of information technologies such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet and mobile computing that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses and other arms of government’. These technologies are meant to serve a variety of different ends that includes: (1) Better delivery of government services to citizens. (2) Improved interactions with business and industry. (3) Citizen empowerment through access to information. (4) More efficient government management etc. Many countries are adapting to the E-Governance and its applications in the field of infrastructure to improve the governmental services and providing empowerment to the citizens. Dubai is an example of one such city in the UAE which has been at the forefront of adopting the advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of governance and including itself in the list of smart cities. This chapter is effort to represent Dubai as the city which has transformed itself to form smart city and adopted the technologies for E-Governance in the field of infrastructure. With the effort of visionary leadership of UAE has initiated numerous E-Government programmes that aimed at effective policy making, and service delivery. The city is constantly growing with substantial influx of expat population every year to contribute to the city’s trade and commerce. To achieve the target, the city is making efforts to reach to every individual through information and network especially in the field of infrastructure facility provision creating a strong bond with the government. The smart technology in E-Governance becomes active from the time when a person enters the city as well as in day to day services. Today the UAE is considered to have one of the most advanced and world-class information and communication technology infrastructures. This chapter has listed few smart services that are used in Dubai as a part of E-Governance. With the Information technology picking up, the e-services are becoming mere necessity in the human life. Use of the smart facilities to interact with the Dubai residents is offering convenience in better service delivery, people empowerment, easy access to information, improved productivity and cost savings in business and participation in public policy decision-making in the governmental activities. Although there are some grey areas and gaps for which the city is making best efforts to come up with an efficient solution and set up an example of E-Governance in front of the developed world. With the success of its E-Government initiatives and its overall popularity for its strong infrastructure and standards of living, it will achieve its goal in public sector integration, and successfully deliver its services to all residents.