WEALTH November 15, 2026 0 Comments

TU Dublin’s €5.1M EU Project Set to Revolutionize Public Spaces — Are You Ready for the Future of Urban Innovation?

Ever wondered if a park bench could secretly be the hero of your neighborhood? Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is stepping up to prove that street furniture isn’t just about sitting down — it’s about transforming public spaces into vibrant, inclusive hubs that truly serve communities. By diving headfirst into the €5.1 million EU-funded CANVAS project, TU Dublin, via Construction Cluster Ireland, is teaming up with 17 other partners across Europe to rethink how everyday amenities—from benches to lighting—can foster connections, culture, and climate-smart solutions. Imagine benches that tell a story, lighting that feels welcoming, and shelters designed not only to protect but to inspire. With Ireland’s own Longford County Council onboard to pilot innovations locally, this isn’t just theoretical—it’s about real spaces evolving with real people. Curious how a simple place to rest could spark bigger waves in urban living? Stick around, because TU Dublin’s cutting-edge approach might just change the way we all experience our cities. LEARN MORE

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is contributed to a €5.1m EU research project to transform public spaces through the use of innovative street furniture.

Through Construction Cluster Ireland, TU Dublin is one of 18 partner organisations from 10 countries taking part in the four-year, Horizon Europe-funded CANVAS project.

CANVAS intends to rethink how everyday public amenities, including benches, lighting, shelters and other street furniture, can improve the quality of shared spaces and respond to the needs of local communities.

Construction Cluster Ireland, Ireland’s national cluster for the construction sector, is hosted by TU Dublin and is leading the project’s industry and innovation dimension in the Irish context.

The university’s involvement is led by principal investigators Dr Oluwasegun Seriki and Ruairi Hayden, supported by Paul Olufemi, the cluster’s newly appointed research assistant/cluster support officer.

Ireland will have a direct role in the project with Longford County Council, which is participating as one of CANVAS’s European pilot partners, providing an opportunity to explore how innovative approaches to public space design can be applied in an Irish setting.

“CANVAS is an excellent example of how TU Dublin is bringing together research expertise, industry partnerships and local communities to address real-world challenges,” said Dr Dympna O’Sullivan, director of research, innovation and external engagement at TU Dublin.

“Through Construction Cluster Ireland, we are helping to translate European research and innovation into practical solutions that will make our public spaces more sustainable, inclusive and welcoming, both here in Ireland and across Europe.”

Guided by New European Bauhaus principles, CANVAS will focus on five themes: safety and comfort; art and cultural identity; environmental performance; inclusion; and social interaction and multifunctionality.

Across its eight European pilot locations, CANVAS will develop and test 21 solutions and seven innovative street furniture design models.

The solutions and models will explore approaches including circular materials, nature-based shading and planting, accessible design, improved lighting and low-maintenance solutions that respond to local heritage and climate conditions.

Communities, local authorities, designers and businesses will take part in co-creation activities, ensuring the solutions developed are shaped by the people who use these public spaces.

For Construction Cluster Ireland, participation in CANVAS represents an important opportunity to strengthen links between Irish construction businesses, academic research and European innovation networks.

Drawing on its national industry network, the cluster will help translate research and design developments into practical solutions with the potential to be adopted across Ireland’s built environment.

TU Dublin hosts Construction Cluster Ireland at its Grangegorman campus. (Pic: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie)

The project will also develop practical guidance and tools to support local authorities in areas such as sustainable public procurement, material selection, community participation and climate adaptation.

The CANVAS project was officially launched at a kick-off meeting in Vienna from 14–16 October and will run until August 2030.

(Pic: supplied)