On June 4, 2025, as part of the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Dublin, Patricia Astorgano Rodera, Project Manager at Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency, delivered an inspiring talk on the future of urban regeneration. This session took place within the framework of the Final Conference of the Horizon Europe project drOp : ‘More than Renovation: Neighbourhood Regeneration‘.

The session explored how art and culture, community engagement, and digital innovation can help shape more inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods across Europe.

The REGEN project and the Dublin pilot

Patricia’s contribution focused on Codema’s role in the REGEN project (which brings together four pilot sites including Dublin, Milan, Laredo, and Beckerich) to test tools and methodologies that support holistic and citizen-driven urban transformation.

In Dublin, the pilot is located in Ringsend and Irishtown, an area already designated as a Decarbonising Zone by Dublin City Council. Patricia presented how the REGEN Toolbox is being applied locally, with a particular focus on:

• Establishing a Neighbourhood Regeneration Office
• Conducting diagnosis and identifying baseline needs
• Designing targeted interventions
• Using digital tools to foster citizen engagement through living labs

She highlighted the strengths of the local community, including a strong identity and existing grassroots initiatives, while also addressing challenges such as energy poverty and housing pressure due to gentrification.

Making digital tools accessible to all

A key part of Patricia’s presentation was dedicated to ensuring accessibility and inclusiveness in the use of digital tools. She showcased two tools being deployed in the Dublin pilot:

These tools help visualise and model energy and climate-related impacts while actively involving residents in co-designing their future neighbourhood.

A strong voice for community-centred innovation

Codema’s presence at the ISHF underscores Dublin’s commitment to innovation in climate and social policy, placing people at the heart of the urban transformation process. Patricia’s intervention was a clear reminder that regeneration is about much more than renovation, it’s about creating long-term value through collaboration, culture, and community empowerment.

Discover the whole presentation here

Many thanks to the organisers of the drOp Final Conference for making this discussion possible and for giving voice to impactful European initiatives.