The All Ireland Smart Cities Forum (AISCF) was officially launched on 9th December 2016. Representing eight cities on the island of Ireland[1], and facilitated by Maynooth University, this cross-border community of practice is focused on the advancement of cities in both Ireland and Northern Ireland through the deployment of, and value creation from, technology-enabled urban services.
On Tuesday, the 22nd October 2019, the AISCF will hold its third Annual conference on the theme of “Sustainable Places, Connected Communities”. This one-day conference takes place in Croke Park Stadium, Dublin City.
All over the world, rapid urbanisation is putting enormous stress on resources and infrastructure which cannot be solved in a traditional way. Based on feedback from delegates at our previous two events, this 1-day conference will be very practical in its focus, sharing learnings and experiences as cities deal with the many challenges to be overcome and, of course, the opportunities to be grasped. The conference theme and mix of plenary and parallel sessions recognise that while cutting-edge ICT and the Internet of Things (IoT) do greatly enhance the efficiency and connectedness of our cities and towns, the ‘smartness’ of a place comes down to its citizens. Core themes for this year’s event are the SDGs with a particular emphasis on climate change/adaptation, public sector innovation and infrastructure for connecting smart communities.
In speaking on this upcoming event, Prof. Brian Donnellan, Chair of the AISCF and Vice-President for Engagement and Innovation at Maynooth University, said “Technology plays an enabling role in addressing the challenges faced by our cities – whether global or more local in origin. This conference will share ideas and first-hand experiences of how some of these challenges can be tackled. It offers a space in which experiences can be shared, challenges and opportunities highlighted, solutions explored, and networks generated”.
If we reflect on the past decade, the way we live, conduct business, and interact and engage with each other has changed dramatically. Yet, we are only at the beginning of a digital and technological change that will transform our societies. Our cities, towns and villages will need to innovate to survive. Local authorities will need to support the design and development of cutting-edge solutions to the challenges faced; and, in so doing, facilitate a convergence of digital infrastructure with physical development through processes of co-design and co-production that embrace citizen engagement and collaboration.
The conference aims to build on the recently formed Nordic-Irish Partnership on Smart Cities and will include a mix of speakers from across the island of Ireland and Europe. Some of the main topics that will be discussed are:
– Sustainable Cities and Communities
– Climate Change
– Smart Infrastructure
– Transport Mobility
– Public Sector Innovation
– Digital Innovation
– Public Sector Challenges: Innovation in the Public Sector
Below you will be able to review the full conference programme:
View the AISCF 3rd Annual Conference Programme
Cost of attendance is €95. Registration is via: https://shop.nuim.ie/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=2750033
For further information on this conference, and how to register, email Caroline Creamer, Facilitator of the All Ireland Smart Cities Forum at: caroline.creamer@mu.ie
[1] Membership of the All Ireland Smart Cities Forum is as follows: the four Dublin Local Authorities, Cork City Council and Cork Smart Gateway, Waterford City and County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Galway City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Belfast City Council.