Cork, IE

The city of Cork is located in the south-west of Ireland and is the second largest city in the country with a metropolitan area in excess of 300,000.   In a country highly dependent on fossil fuels, Cork is a frontrunner in the development of renewable energy sources.

Cork City Council is committed to reducing its carbon consumption by building on Cork’s extensive natural resources, human capital and tradition of innovation. Two City Council supported initiatives, Energy Cork and the Cork Smart Gateway are driving this ambition through their activities which prioritise energy and resource efficiency.

Such activities include an ambitious retrofitting programme for the city’s building stock, covering both administrative buildings and social housing, utilisation of electric and alternative fuelled vehicles and the introduction of more sustainable transport solutions across the city.  As a follower city in the European GrowSmarter Smart City project, Cork has developed a replication plan which includes best practice solutions to a number of challenges including building retrofitting to reduce energy consumption and smart lighting solutions.

By taking part in the Replication Campaign of the SINFONIA and EU-GUGLE projects, the city of Cork will have the opportunity to share advice and knowledge with other European smart cities on the development and implementation of smart city solutions adapted to medium-sized cities.