Roma Smart City Strategy

The Roma Smart City Strategy (Roma Smart City: Il Piano) is a comprehensive programmatic document published by the Municipality of Rome (Comune di Roma). It outlines ongoing projects and provides guidelines for the city’s smart and sustainable future, addressing the impacts of urbanization on global ecosystems in alignment with the UN Agenda 2030. The strategy aims to modernize Rome's municipal services while respecting its unique historical heritage and complex urban fabric.

The digital transformation strategy of Roma Capitale is structured across three interconnected levels as defined by the Department for Digital Transformation. These include infrastructure development through the Roma 5G project, which has established free public Wi-Fi in over 100 piazzas via more than 850 hotspots, standardizing data management through the Roma Capitale Open Data Portal, and improving digital public services for citizens. The strategy emphasizes viewing the smart city as an ecosystem focused on measurable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rather than mere technology adoption.

The strategy is built around several pillars aimed at addressing specific urban challenges while promoting sustainability. Key initiatives include Smart Mobility and Traffic Management, which employs intelligent transport systems to optimize traffic flow and improve the travel experience through comprehensive geospatial datasets. Additionally, the plan incorporates AI-Powered Waste Collection Optimization, utilizing machine learning to analyze collection patterns, thereby reducing environmental impact and operational costs. The Digital Cultural Heritage Preservation pillar emphasizes the importance of protecting Rome’s archaeological and architectural heritage using digital technologies like 3D scanning. Another focus area is Smart Lighting and Energy Management, where adaptive lighting systems respond to real-time conditions, conserving energy while enhancing public safety. The Open Data Platform for Citizen Transparency fosters trust by providing datasets on transport, environment, demographics, and urban planning, enabling evidence-based civic engagement. Lastly, Digital Citizen Services and E-Government initiatives aim to simplify bureaucratic processes via online services.

A notable feature of this strategy is the Roma Smart City Lab Council, a multi-stakeholder governance body that promotes active participation from institutions, stakeholders, and citizens in the digital transformation process. This council provides continuous support to governance bodies and contributes to defining programs on innovation, smart city development, and ecological transition, ensuring that the evolution of Rome’s smart city aligns with the diverse needs of its population.

The Digital Agenda presented by Roma Capitale identifies five strategic objectives essential to the smart city plan, including transparency and accessibility of administration, an extended offer of digital public services, and improved internal administrative processes. These objectives align with the Europe 2020 strategy and reinforce Rome’s commitment to ethical, citizen-centered digital transformation as a member of the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.

What distinguishes Rome’s smart city strategy from many of its European counterparts is its commitment to harmonizing advanced technology with the city’s rich historical landscape. The plan illustrates that innovation and tradition can coexist productively, showing how smart infrastructure can enhance Rome's cultural identity rather than diminish it.

For further details, the full document can be accessed at Roma Smart City: Il Piano (PDF).