Rabat – The Moroccan Association of Student Topographers will organize the 23rd edition of the AMETOP Entreprises Forum, with this year’s edition focusing on the importance of smart cities in addressing climate change.
The event, which will showcase the latest advancements in technology for sustainable urbanism, aims to raise awareness, share knowledge, and foster collaboration among professionals, students, and the general public.
Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Sadiki, is set to inaugurate the event on June 10 at the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV) Hassan II in Rabat.
Titled “Smart Cities, Omnipotent Potential for Resilient, Sustainable Urban Development,” the event will bring together topography engineers, urbanists, students, and industry professionals interested in the field of smart cities.
The forum will feature a wide range of activities, including a conference, exhibitions, and a master class that will highlight the potential of smart cities in improving urban planning, resource management, as well as the quality of life for residents.
With a focus on sustainable urbanism, participants will explore how emerging technologies and data-driven solutions can contribute to creating environmentally friendly and resilient cities.
Morocco World News spoke with members of the forum’s organizing committee, who shared insight into the fast-approaching event.
Digital solutions to revolutionize urbanism
Othmane El Hamdaoui, who is a student of Geomatics and Topography Engineering at IAV, indicated that the event will showcase solutions and projects that students from the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II worked on throughout the school year.
For instance, attendees will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with drones, which are increasingly being used for mapping and data gathering. They will be showcased as a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional methods such as airplanes.
El Hamdaoui said that the organizers chose the topic of smart cities as the theme of this year’s forum because it represents “the future of urbanism,” stressing that it represents “a prominent solution to solve the climate crisis problem.”
Through mapping and data gathering, topography engineers can come up with innovative solutions to solve many environmental challenges, including managing water resources, he explained.
“I do foresee for our event that it’s going to be very informative for everyone who’s interested in topography,” El Hamdaoui said, adding that it can expand students’ horizons and show them the potential of this area of study.
He noted, “You don’t really put it into perspective that your work is important in solving such a big problem … and instead of leaving Carbon prints, you can leave a healthy print through your work.”
In addition, he underlined that the event will create a “networking hub,” allowing students to exchange ideas, explore job opportunities, as well as foster collaborations in the field of smart cities.
For her part, a member of the organizing committee and a student at IAV Salma Elaouni said that one of the main highlights of the event will be a conference led by Moroccan expert Younous Lahboub.
With a Ph.D. in Geomatics and Urbanism and over 20 years of experience in the field, Lahboub will shed light on the potential of smart cities and their role in revolutionizing urban planning.
With over 1,500 participants in the previous edition, this year’s event aims to surpass those numbers, attracting a diverse audience, including students, professionals, and officials.
Read also: Smart Cities Index 2023: Morocco’s Capital Rabat Ranks Fourth in Africa
