Desarrollo urbano inteligente como plataforma para la atracción de inversión extranjera directa: aprendizajes de Dubái y Abu Dabi (2010-2025)

Abstract

Introduction / Objective: Over the past two decades, the smart city has evolved from a model focused mainly on municipal efficiency into a broader strategy related to competitiveness and investment attraction. This research examines how Dubai and Abu Dhabi, between 2010 and 2025, used digitalized urban infrastructure as part of their territorial competitiveness strategy to attract and retain Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The objective is to understand how urban technology goes beyond service management and can contribute to trust, predictability, and better conditions for international investors. Methodology: A qualitative, descriptive-comparative approach was adopted, based on a structured review of indexed academic literature, official strategic planning documents —such as Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Smart Dubai— and reports from reference organizations, including UNCTAD and the IMD Smart City Index (2025–2026). The triangulation of sources made it possible to compare institutional documents with data on investment flows and urban competitiveness. Results: The findings show that Dubai oriented its smart urbanism model toward efficiency in public services, urban mobility, and business-related processes, supported by the digitalization of government services, automated mobility, and regulatory simplification. These elements helped improve operating conditions for foreign investors and reduce some entry barriers. By 2025, Dubai ranked fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index and captured 6.2% of worldwide greenfield investment projects. Abu Dhabi, in contrast, developed a model more focused on industrial sustainability and long-term innovation, supported by a state investment of AED 13 billion through its Digital Strategy 2025–2027 and by its rise to fifth place in the same index. Both cases developed in a challenging international context: while global FDI contracted by 11% in 2024, the UAE recorded a 78% increase in greenfield investment, reaching USD 33.2 billion in 2025. Conclusions: The study concludes that smart urbanism can be understood as a factor of territorial competitiveness that strengthens FDI attraction in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Contemporary FDI does not only seek resources, markets, or fiscal incentives; it also values efficient urban environments, technological infrastructure, regulatory stability, and institutional capacity. In this sense, the cases analyzed suggest that smart cities can complement the locational advantage component of Dunning’s OLI paradigm by improving the conditions that make a territory more attractive to international capital. Keywords: smart cities; foreign direct investment; territorial competitiveness; location advantage; digital governance; economic diversification; United Arab Emirates