In May 2015, the Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA) organized the first CityOS conference, workshops, and hackathon aimed at promoting the “Smart City” concept among programmers, engineers, hackers, creators, architects, and city officials. This unique approach bore fruit after just four months with the implementation of the first “Smart City” project, fully developed by Dubrovnik startups.
Dubrovnik has long been a city of wise people, open minds, and free spirits, from those who led simple and peaceful lives to renowned personalities and city officials. The status of a city of diplomacy, science, humanism, culture, and art are just some of the titles that Dubrovnik has earned throughout its long history, thanks to its citizens who were not afraid to try something new, think differently, and push the boundaries set by the society of their time and allowed by technology.
Like every other city in the world, Dubrovnik faces specific challenges, but at the end of 2014, following the initiative of Mayor Andro Vlahušić, Dubrovnik decisively set out to find solutions to the most pressing problems that trouble all citizens and visitors. We believe that people want to work together when they feel they can help the community in some way, when they see that their work is important and that they are valued for it.
In May 2015, the Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA) organized the first CityOS conference, workshops, and hackathon aimed at promoting the “Smart City” concept among programmers, engineers, hackers, creators, architects, and city officials. This unique approach bore fruit after just four months with the implementation of the first “Smart City” project, fully developed by Dubrovnik startups. Shortly after the first results, awards followed, which is why Dubrovnik can now boast the title of the most innovative smart city, competing against 60 other cities. The solutions are based on open-source technology and young people who have founded their startups, investing all their free time to create products that simplify access to city services, making them more efficient and useful.
Strengthening the local community through involvement in city projects was a crucial step that initiated a wave of positive changes and altered the way we view and understand the role of the city. This method truly provided an opportunity for the best and brightest to stay in their city and continue developing their talents and startup companies.
Learning from last year’s success, DURA, in partnership with the CityOS team, continues this year with the same practice by organizing the “Smart City Startups Conference 2016,” which will gather the world’s most renowned innovators and experts in smart cities who will share their long-standing experience, knowledge, and ideas with our youth, revealing the latest technology that enables the resolution of the significant challenges every city faces. This event will last five days and is organized into several parts – conference, workshops, and hackathon. As last year, the goal is to transfer knowledge and motivate programmers and other citizens to try to create their solutions using the latest available technology. Admission is free for competitors and visitors. By the end of the competition, new applications developed by young engineers will already be emerging, and the best will be given the opportunity to complete and pilot their ideas in Dubrovnik. In addition to the 48-hour competition and awards, this year’s conference topics will cover news from the startup and Smart City world, along with fun workshops for all ages – Development of iOS applications for IoT, a quick UX course, automation of drones, hydroponic plant cultivation, robotics, and IoT (Arduino) electronics.
