DMT Strengthens MIT Partnership to Advance Urban Innovation Across Abu Dhabi
The Department of Municipalities and Transport has expanded its collaboration with MIT's Senseable City Lab to translate cutting-edge research into tangible improvements for residents, showcasing artificial intelligence applications in urban design and environmental sustainability.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has deepened its strategic partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to harness advanced research for the practical benefit of Abu Dhabi’s communities. The expanded accord was formalised by Fatema Al Mutawa, Acting Executive Director of DMT’s Strategy Sector, and Carlo Ratti, Director of MIT Senseable City Lab, during the opening of LIVEX 2026, the Liveability and Investment Exhibition.
Building upon the relationship established in 2024, this next phase sustains ongoing research initiatives whilst opening new avenues of investigation through the DMT Future Hub. The collaboration extends across multiple domains, including traffic emissions analysis, pedestrian exposure assessment, urban heat mitigation and sustainable mobility solutions. Innovative proposals now explore how artificial intelligence might optimise tree planting strategies and examine how thoughtful urban lighting adjustments could enhance night-sky visibility for residents and visitors alike.
Two proofs of concept are approaching completion. Emission AI utilises dashcam footage and machine learning to estimate vehicle emissions with precision, whilst Exposure AI quantifies pedestrians’ exposure to traffic-related pollution. These complementary initiatives establish an evidence base to guide cleaner mobility solutions and healthier street design, directly supporting DMT’s mission to understand how environmental conditions influence quality of life throughout the emirate.
The partnership has already contributed to peer-reviewed scientific literature. A study featuring Abu Dhabi data, titled ‘Estimating vehicular emissions by applying deep learning on video camera scenes,’ appeared in Communications Engineering on 23 September 2026. DMT received acknowledgment as a consortium supporter of ‘Ubiquitous data-driven framework for traffic emission estimation and policy evaluation,’ published in Nature Sustainability on 2 April 2026.
Forthcoming research initiatives promise further benefits. Projects entitled ‘Trees in My Backyard’ and ‘Re-Leaf’ will deploy artificial intelligence to guide tree selection and planting, creating cooler and healthier public spaces. A third initiative, ‘Stellar Oasis’, will investigate methods to reduce light pollution and restore night-sky visibility, fostering deeper connections between residents and the natural environment.
DMT’s participation in the MIT Senseable City Lab Global Conference at the Venice Biennale in 2025 demonstrated the international significance of this collaboration, with the joint Visual AI Emission project showcased to representatives from 48 MIT partner institutions across the globe. This expanded partnership aligns seamlessly with LIVEX 2026’s emphasis on people-centred artificial intelligence, innovative urban mobility and the creation of healthier, more liveable cities.
Source: WAM