Dublin city council launches new drone strategy

Dublin City Council has launched its first drone and urban air strategy which aims to explore how it can utilise drones to enhance public services and “future-proof” the Irish capital. 

The Drone and Urban Air Mobility Strategy 2024-2029 is being led through the council’s Smart City programme, which explores how new and emerging technologies are applied. 

“This strategy marks a significant milestone for Dublin City Council. By embracing drone technology, we are not only enhancing our service delivery but also paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable city,” said Eileen Quinlivan, Assistant Chief Executive and Chair of the DCC Drones High Level Steering Group of Dublin City Council.

“Drones will revolutionise how we approach various tasks, from emergency response and infrastructure inspections to environmental monitoring and urban planning. The benefits for our staff and citizens are immense, and we are committed to ensuring that Dublin remains at the forefront of this urban innovation.”

The council reports that drones are increasingly being applied across a range of city services, helping to increase service efficiencies, reduce costs and streamline operations.

Areas where drones are being applied within the council include mapping, inspections of dangerous buildings and emergency response.

They are also being used to access to hard-to-reach areas for surveys and environmental monitoring, providing better oversight and management of urban spaces.

Drone unit

A new dedicated drone unit is being established in the council to centralise drone operations and support internal departments to accelerate the adoption of the technology.

The unit will build on existing capabilities and resources to “maximise efficiencies across the council”.

The council also says the unit will play a role in supporting innovation in the drone industry by helping develop new services that benefit citizens and communities as the commercial sector grows.

“The Irish Aviation Authority is very supportive of public sector bodies developing drone strategies,” said Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer in the Irish Aviation Authority.  “We are delighted to support this initiative by Dublin City Council to develop their drone strategy where they will drive innovation and development in the drone sector.

“We believe that this will pave the way for advancements in urban air mobility, benefiting both the public and the broader aviation industry.”

Image: Manna drone