The Hague Marks Five Years of Advancements in Smart City Innovations
The Hague, Friday, 31 January 2025.
The Hague’s smart city initiative celebrates notable successes in sustainable urban development and digital transformation, highlighting tools like the Crowd Safety Manager for improved municipal services.
Smart Infrastructure and Digital Solutions
At the heart of The Hague’s smart city transformation is the Scheveningen Living Lab, powered by an extensive fiber optic network that connects various street facilities including lampposts, kiosks, and charging stations [1]. The lab’s infrastructure enables comprehensive sensor and camera deployment throughout the city, facilitating real-time data collection and analysis [1]. A standout achievement has been the implementation of the Crowd Safety Manager (CSM), which provides detailed 3D mapping and real-time crowd insights to municipal employees, police, and event organizers [1].
Practical Applications and Impact
The CSM system has already proven its worth during major events, enabling proactive crowd management and enhanced visitor experience during occasions such as the Invictus Games [1]. In the maritime sector, an automated ship registration system has been implemented in Scheveningen harbor, improving port safety while maintaining privacy standards [1]. These innovations align with The Hague’s broader commitment as one of the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission for climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 [2].
Learning from Challenges
The initiative’s five-year review reveals a pragmatic approach to innovation, with the city being transparent about both successes and failures. Some projects, such as riot recognition technology, were discontinued due to technical limitations [1]. Others, like the AI-powered camera system for detecting nitrous oxide use, were shelved despite functioning properly, as the initial problem had naturally subsided [1]. This adaptive approach demonstrates The Hague’s commitment to practical, needs-based implementation of smart technology.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, The Hague is expanding its smart city focus to include water management challenges, having recently joined the EU Urban Agenda Thematic Partnership on ‘Water Sensitive City’ [5]. This initiative, announced on January 30, 2025, will address critical issues such as water scarcity and quality, particularly relevant given that over 90% of the city’s drinking water comes from river sources [5]. The city continues to build on its reputation as a hub for innovation and sustainable urban development [4].