Sharjah has put a working picture of tomorrow’s city on the table. On Wednesday, 28 October, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed the launch of the second edition of Sharjah Next at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). He also inaugurated Uruk City.
What Is Uruk City?
Uruk City is a model for a new generation of sustainable cities. The idea is a town that produces its own food, energy, and water; runs without relying on conventional utility networks; and uses artificial intelligence to give residents more time for family, health, and learning. SPARK is developing it with the American University of Sharjah and SEE Holding. For now, it is a concept shown through a model and a film, so you cannot book a flat there yet.
SPARK also spoke about Uruk 2.0, a planned testing ground for AI and sustainability technology in water, agriculture and smart cities.
What Is Sharjah Next 2026 About?
The two-day forum is themed Sustainability and carries the slogan From Lab to Market. Expect keynote speeches, panels and workshops, all pushing one point: research is only useful once it leaves the lab. The aim is to bring researchers, industry and investors together so that ideas reach real-world use faster.
SPARK’s First Ten Years
SPARK chief executive Hussain Al Mahmoudi looked back on a decade of work. The park’s ecosystem has drawn more than 13,000 companies, created 10,000 jobs and attracted over AED 500 million in research investment.
A New Institute And A 100 Per Cent Waste Goal
BEEAH announced the Sharjah Institute for Sustainability Research and Innovation, set up with SPARK to support promising solutions and help them reach the market. BEEAH’s leadership said Sharjah now diverts 93 per cent of its waste from landfill and is home to the region’s first waste-to-energy plant. Plans are in place to push that figure to 100 per cent with new recycling and waste management facilities across the emirate.
The Ruler also signed the second edition of the Sharjah Next magazine. This issue is tied to a research report by Nature Research Intelligence that measures the scientific impact of Sharjah’s research and development ecosystem.
Also Read: Sharjah: 3 New Bus Routes Connecting To Etihad Rail Station Launched & They Are…
Why It Matters
If you live in the UAE, this is the kind of work that eventually shapes how water, food, and waste are handled close to home. Uruk City is still a blueprint, but the recycling numbers and the new institute are already concrete.
Cover Image Courtesy: HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi/Website
FAQs
When and where is Sharjah Next 2026 happening?
The second edition of Sharjah Next was launched on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) in Sharjah. It is a two-day forum themed Sustainability, with the slogan From Lab to Market.
Who is behind Uruk City?
The project combines the research and innovation capabilities of SPARK, the academic expertise of the American University of Sharjah and the sustainable urban development experience of SEE Holding. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SPARK, was credited with bringing the partners together.
