Two Dominican provinces will become smart city pilots under a new UN-backed agreement using IoT, digital twins, and KPI-based planning tools.
The Dominican Republic has taken a significant step toward digital modernization by launching a smart city transformation initiative in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The agreement, signed in Geneva in July 2025, selects San Pedro de Macorís and Monseñor Nouel (Bonao) as pilot provinces for a national smart and sustainable cities program.
Guido Gómez Mazara, President of INDOTEL, the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications, at the signing:
“This agreement marks a decisive step to continue reducing the digital divide and catapulting our cities toward a more sustainable and competitive future This alliance represents a strategic commitment to collective well-being and the modernization of public services.”
The eight-month project will assess the digital infrastructure and sustainability performance of each province and support the implementation of advanced technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) systems and digital twins, to improve decision-making and urban management. The initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
The smart city transformation will follow a structured four-phase process:
The U4SSC indicators will help quantify service quality across sectors like energy, transportation, water, and waste management. The technical and institutional capacity of local governments will also be enhanced to ensure continuity and long-term impact.
“The partnership with INDOTEL exemplifies how international cooperation and technologies can transform the quality of life of communities,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan Martin.
This initiative positions the Dominican Republic alongside other Latin American cities already pursuing smart urban strategies. Cities like São Paulo, Lima, and Montevideo have reported measurable progress in mobility, energy efficiency, and digital public service delivery. According to market analysts, the global smart cities market is projected to grow from $648.36 billion in 2020 to $6.06 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 25.2%.
Much of this growth is fueled by urbanization, digital infrastructure investment, and government policies promoting sustainability and resilience. The Dominican Republic’s entry into this space reflects a broader regional commitment to innovation-driven governance.
A key component of the initiative is the deployment of smart city technologies:
These tools not only improve efficiency but also support economic development and citizen well-being. For example, countries such as India and the UAE are investing heavily in digital twins and AI systems to improve traffic management, energy optimization, and healthcare delivery.
Smart cities go beyond digital convenience. They offer pathways to reduce emissions, increase transparency, and improve quality of life through responsive governance. In this pilot, INDOTEL is investing $7,950 and deploying expert and technical support teams to assist municipalities.
The Dominican Republic’s pilot cities aim to:
If successful, San Pedro de Macorís and Bonao could become national benchmarks for scalable digital transformation.
As cities around the world race to build smarter, more sustainable infrastructure, the Dominican Republic’s pilot project offers a model for mid-sized economies seeking to leapfrog traditional urban development challenges. With the right investment, collaboration, and citizen engagement, digital transformation can drive inclusive progress far beyond the pilot provinces.
This initiative affirms that even modest investments, when paired with global expertise and structured planning, can yield measurable outcomes in energy efficiency, public health, and civic resilience.
