This article explores why Dublin, the global tech hub, is Europe’s leading Smart City testbed. With a population of over 1.2 million people, Ireland’s capital currently has over 100 ‘smart’ projects and backing from 4 local authorities to become the proving ground for a truly connected cosmopolitan city.

What is a Smart City?

A Smart city is an urban area that uses different types of electronic Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to collect data and then use insights gained from that data to manage assets, resources and services efficiently. This includes data collected from citizens, devices, and assets that is processed and analysed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste management, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.
Source: Sharing Cities: A Case for Truly Smart and Sustainable Cities

Dublin – Smart City

Dublin has become a testbed for smart city technology and research, with investors like Softbank, headquarters of tech goliaths like Google, AirBnB and Twitter, and initiatives from world class Universities like Trinity and UCD all working together to deliver tech of the future.

All within a 2km zone, an area known as the ‘Silicon Docklands’ has become the home to Tech hubs like Dogpatch Labs, and headquarters of Google, Facebook, Linkedin, AirBnB among others

Dublin is an unexpected global capital for IoT
Source: National Geographic

Dublin – Smart City challenges and solutions

Smart Dublin is an initiative of the four Dublin Local Authorities to engage with smart technology providers, researchers and citizens to solve challenges and improve city life.

  • Bathing water quality: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Waterford City and County Council want to collate and communicate the quality of bathing water using all sources of information for the use of all stakeholders.
  • Smart mobility hubs: Dublin City Council is looking to test shared mobility options for staff through integrations of e-cars, e-bikes and push bikes through the piloting of a smart mobility hub service solution.
  • IoT: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council seeks to facilitate connections over DLAI/TALQ to an IoT radio frequency mesh network in order to allow connectivity and communications over the entire network infrastructure.
  • Last-mile delivery: Dublin City Council is looking to optimise freight and cargo deliveries in urban centres in order to reduce the number of goods vehicles and improve air quality and noise pollution.
  • Unheard voices: Fingal County Council and Cork City Council want to encourage engagement of the unheard voices in decision-making about the future.
    Source: Smart Dublin

Smart City spending

Smart city technology spending reached $80 billion in 2016, and is expected to grow to $135 billion by 2021, according to a report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
Source: International Data Corporation 

Smart Dublin has revealed that €900,000 in funding, spanning five critical projects, is available for entrepreneurs and organisations, including tech firms and universities. Ireland’s first technological University has received funding to develop a national sectoral cluster in the city too. This will develop skills, enhance technology and productivity, and boost knowledge transfer for SMEs across the region.

Enterprise Ireland, who funded the institution are a Government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. They work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales on global markets, supporting sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment.

Living and working in a thriving tech city

We caught up with Jonathan Singer, ditto Account Manager and Blockchain Connect Co-ordinator, who has lived and worked in Dublin for the past few years. Originally from New York, Jonathan has joined ditto as an Account & Campaign Manager for multiple international tech firms. He is an experienced Program Manager with a history of delivering world-class start-up events, mentoring, and workshops at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin.

“Dublin has experienced immense growth over the past decade in tech and technology services and as such. It is extremely well connected and well situated as a test bed for the integration of innovative products in the digital age. I’m looking forward to co-coordinating ditto’s Blockchain Connect event series in Dublin, continuing to help build the city’s thriving tech community and networks”

Blockchain Connect Dublin – 5th March

ditto is proud to have an office in Dublin at Dogpatch Labs and we are excited to announce we have an upcoming event in the city ‘Blockchain Connect’ – a showcase of Blockchain applications across industries, including webinars, demos and panel discussions – join us on 5th March – free tickets here.