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Introduction

Smart Docklands works across the local ecosystem to deliver sustainable smart city innovation. The Smart Docklands programme is a partnership between the Dublin City Council and the CONNECT SFI Research Centre for Future Networks, headquartered at Trinity College Dublin.

Recently, they used a Commonplace website to get community feedback on their work, specifically local experiences/issues/challenges in the Docklands area. This way they can create more community-centred smart city initiatives.

Challenges

The Docklands faces a pronounced lack of community feeling and cultural vibrancy, attributed to the area's transient population and a perceived overemphasis on commercial interests. The desire for more communal spaces, cultural venues, and events highlights the need for initiatives that foster community cohesion, cultural identity, and a sense of belonging. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to integrate community and cultural development into the urban planning process, ensuring the Docklands evolves into a vibrant, inclusive community.

Solutions

Their Commonplace website (https://smartdocklands.commonplace.is/) served as a hub for information on sustainable smart city innovations effectively informing the community about them. It also acted as a virtual meeting ground for various stakeholders and community members

• By leveraging the online platform, they attracted individuals who may not have been engaged through traditional methods, thereby widening our audience.

• The platform's online nature ensured it was (and still is) widely accessible, allowing for greater participation across all demographics.

• Residents and employees could use the platform to voice their challenges and concerns, making it a valuable tool for gathering insights directly from those affected.

• The ability to pin challenges on an interactive Heatmap visually represented specific issues, aiding in targeted problem-solving.

Results

They were able to gather insights from those who live in, work in, or visit the Docklands area. The survey findings were used as the basis for the Call for Pilots, where Dublin City Council, through its Smart City programme, will fund a number of innovative solutions that can address the identified challenges. Based on the feedback, we identified four key areas: environmental monitoring, urban greening/biodiversity, community development, and antisocial behaviour/safety.

Commonplace has been instrumental in enabling us to align our projects with the actual needs of the community, making our urban environments smarter and more inclusive. This feedback-driven approach exemplifies our commitment to creating sustainable and inclusive smart city solutions

Karolina Anielska
Smart Docklands Project and Engagement Manager

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