The College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad witnessed the public defense of master’s student Inas Mohammed Rashid from the Civil Engineering Department, specializing in Construction and Project Management.
The defense took place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the Euphrates Hall, under the supervision of Dr. Mervat Razaq Wali.
Thesis Objectives:
The thesis focused on developing a smart city index in Iraq, specifically in the construction sector. The study aimed to:
- Integrate smart infrastructure (such as the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence) to enhance facilities and public service management.
- Promote sustainable practices by assessing environmental impacts (energy consumption, carbon emissions) and implementing green building technologies.
- Improve project management by ensuring progress tracking, adherence to schedules, and minimizing delays.
- Optimize resource allocation (materials, labor, and equipment) to reduce waste and costs.
- Strengthen environmental resilience against climate challenges and natural disasters.
- Enhance communication among stakeholders (government, contractors, suppliers) for transparency and effective decision-making.
- Ensure infrastructure durability and predictive maintenance through early problem detection.
- Implement real-time quality and safety monitoring to reduce accidents and defects.
Key Recommendations:
The thesis concluded with several recommendations for advancing smart city development in Iraq:
- Engaging all stakeholders throughout all phases of construction projects to align smart city initiatives with community needs.
- Utilizing real-time data collection and Internet of Things technologies to enhance assessment accuracy and decision-making.
- Establishing training programs for engineers, planners, and policymakers in collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen expertise in smart city planning.
- Adopting a systematic approach for monitoring and evaluating smart city projects, with periodic reviews and updates to improve strategies.
- Enhancing cooperation between the construction, IT, energy, and transportation sectors to ensure an integrated approach to smart city development.
- Integrating sustainability principles into all projects, such as energy efficiency, renewable resources, and innovative environmental practices.
- Strengthening governance through transparent, data-driven policies to build trust and align with smart city objectives.
- Implementing structured programs to incorporate citizen feedback into decision-making processes.
Thesis Outcome:
Following the scientific discussion conducted by the distinguished panel, an evaluation of the candidate’s defense, and a review of the thesis content, Inas Mohammed Rashid was awarded the highest distinction, earning a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering / Construction and Project Management.
