Smart Dublin is a collaborative initiative launched in 2016 by Dublin's four local authorities, including Dublin City Council, in partnership with technology providers, researchers, academia, industry, and citizens. The programme aims to leverage innovative technologies to address urban challenges, enhance public services, promote sustainability, improve mobility, foster economic growth, and strengthen community engagement.
The initiative adopts a 'smart district' approach, piloting technologies in targeted areas such as Smart Docklands, a tech testbed funded by Dublin City Council and CONNECT; Smart DCU, a university campus digital twin developed with Dublin City University, Insight SFI Research Centre, and Bentley Systems; and Smart D8, focused on health and well-being. These efforts integrate IoT sensors, 3D modelling, augmented reality, and generative AI to enable real-time monitoring, scenario simulations, and data-driven decisions.
A key component involves digital twins for resilient housing, where Dublin City Council models social housing stock to inform climate action and retrofitting strategies. Collaborations like those with Bentley for Docklands and DCU digital twins, and international projects with North-West Europe partners, underscore the programme's global scope, positioning Smart Dublin as a model for smart city innovation and liveable urban futures.