Your Dublin, Your Voice‘City Perception’

Executive Summary Report &Survey Prize draw winners

Survey reference periodAugust / September 2015

Introduction

- Online survey, 18th August – 23rd September 2015

- 1,134 respondents, from “Your Dublin, Your Voice” opinion panel

- 30% response rate

- Global margin of error = +/- 2.9%

- Robust panel in existence since 2010, ongoing recruitment through various channels

Respondent Profile

Principal results are statistically adjusted to match census data by gender and age group

N=1,134

Respondent Profile

N=1,134

Respondent Profile

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Respondent Profile

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Making Dublin Attractive

“Cities around the world compete with each other to attract their share of the world investment (Foreign Direct Investment / FDI), business and tourism market. Like any product, cities must grab your attention, attract your interest and build your desire to take action - to experience the excitement of visiting a new destination, to invest in doing business there or perhaps start up a new business there. “

Attracting Business to Dublin

N=1,133

What do think is the most important consideration for someone thinking about locating their business in Dublin?

Influencing factor% Selecting as

Most Important

Pool of talented workers 30.3%Business friendly environment 15.3%Business friendly Tax regime 15.0%Quality of Life 10.1%Globalised nature of the business environment 8.6%Availability of quality and affordable office accommodation 7.4%Business supports and grants/funding 6.6%Reputation for innovation 3.8%Other (please specify) 2.9%

“Pool of Talented Workers” was seen as the most important consideration by 30% of respondents.

Among “Other” were “English speaking EU country” and transport / infrastructure

Attracting Events to Dublin

N=1,132

What do think is the most important consideration for someone thinking about bringing an international business event / conference to Dublin?

“Availability of quality conference facilities” was seen as the most important consideration by 41% of respondents.

Among “Other” were tax and cost considerations

Influencing factor% Selecting as

Most ImportantAvailability of quality conference facilities 40.8%Ease of access - Air / Sea transport links 23.4%City Centre location 10.8%Friendly nature of society 8.1%Availability of quality hotel accommodation 5.3%Safety in the city 5.1%Supports and Grants 2.8%Social / Leisure options 1.8%Other (please specify) 1.9%

Attracting Students to Dublin

N=1,134

What do think is the most important consideration for someone thinking about studying in Dublin?

“Quality of Education Reputation” was seen as the most important consideration by 60% of respondents.

Among “Other” were cost of living and quality of courses available

Influencing factor% Selecting as

Most ImportantQuality of education reputation 60.0%Accommodation in the city 14.4%University links with Industry 8.2%Safety in the city 6.9%Friendly city 4.3%Social / Leisure options 3.2%Quality of R&D reputation 1.9%Other (please specify) 1.2%

Attracting Tourists to Dublin

N=1,134

What do think is the most important consideration for someone coming to Dublin as a tourist / visitor?

“Friendliness of its people ” was seen as the most important consideration by 27% of respondents, and “Perception as a fun, happening city” was seen as most important by 25% of respondents in terms of attracting visitors.

Among “Other” considerations were safety and history / culture

Influencing factor% Selecting as

Most ImportantFriendliness of its people 26.8%Perception as a "fun', "happening' city 25.3%Excellent value for money 15.0%Rich history from the Vikings to the Normans 10.2%Pub / music / nightlife culture 9.0%Perception as "the place to be right now' 4.8%Amazing quality of life 2.3%Literary past 1.5%Temperate climate 0.4%Other (please specify) 4.5%

Other Cities

N=1,134

Younger respondents, students and those with higher levels of education were more likely to feel that there are better cities to live and work in

Other Cities

N=695

Please name one city that you think would be a better place to live and work in than Dublin:

City % mentionsLondon 15%Berlin 7%Copenhagen 7%Amsterdam 6%Barcelona 5%New York 5%Melbourne 4%Paris 4%Cork 3%Galway 3%Sydney 3%Stockholm 2%Toronto 2%San Francisco 2%Vancouver 2%Edinburgh 2%Vienna 1%Munich 1%Perth 1%Chicago 1%

Others <1%

Dublin as a Place to Live

N=1,134

Avg out of 5 1 2 3 4 53.89 2 2 19 59 18

How do you view Dublin as a place to live?

% of responses Very poor -> Excellent

1 = Very poor 2 = Poor3 = Average4 = Good5 = Excellent

77% of respondents felt that Dublin was a good or excellent place to live

Older respondents and those in the Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council areas have a more positive view of Dublin as a place to live

Dublin in Words

N=1,125

What are the first three words that come to mind when you think of Dublin?

Word % occurrenceFriendliness 14.3%Home 12.6%Expensive 6.9%Compact 5.8%Dirty 5.6%Historic 4.8%Fun 2.6%Capital 2.0%Busy 1.9%People 1.7%

(Exact word or variant)

Dublin in Words

N=1,116

Please name three positive aspects of Dublin:

Top 10 exact words or variantsAspect % mentionsFriendleness 17.9%People 7.8%Centre City Compact 9.5%History 4.0%City, Sea and mountains all close 3.5%Culture 2.6%Ease of access 1.3%Nightlife 1.2%Safe 1.1%Lots to do 0.9%

“Friendliness” and “People” (or variants) made up 26% of positive aspects of Dublin

Dublin in Words

N=1,116

Please name three negative aspects of Dublin:

Word % occurrenceDrugs / drug related 11.8%Dirty 10.8%Cost of living 10.0%Unsafe / crime 9.9%Homelessness 7.8%Transport 7.0%Traffi c 6.8%Housing / cost of housing 3.2%Anti social behaviour 2.6%Begging 2.6%Drunkenness 1.9%All others 26.0%

Most common exact words or variants

Dublin’s Motto

N=1,134

A motto is a slogan that represents values held or experience. Mottos are both historical and traditional and often expressed in Latin.

35% of respondents were aware that Dublin City has a mottoAwareness was higher among older respondents, among male respondents and among those living in the Dublin City Council area.

Dublin’s Motto

N=1,134

Dublin’s Motto

N=1,134

Over 400 years old, the Dublin City motto is "Obedientia civium urbis felicitas" which roughly translates as "The citizens' obedience is the city's happiness" or "Obedient citizens create a happy city"

Avg out of 5 1 2 3 4 52.20 35 31 19 11 4

How well do you think this current motto represents the modern city and its citizens?

% of Poorly -> Well

1 = Very poorly2 = Poorly3 = Neutral4 = Well5 = Very well

15% of respondents felt that Dublin’s motto represents the city well or very wellOlder respondents were more likely to feel that the current motto represents the city well

Dublin’s Motto

N=684

Suggestions for a motto / slogan for Dublin

Complete set of suggestions contained in accompanying document

684 suggestions generated the following word cloud:

Dublin Landmarks

N=1,134

From the following please select what you think are the three most important landmarks in terms of representing Dublin:

The majority (58%) of respondents included the Halfpenny Bridge in their top 3 landmarks representing Dublin

Dublin Landmarks

N=354

Are there any other important architectural landmarks in terms of representing Dublin?

Other Landmark % mentionsGeorgian architecture 8.0%Phoenix Park 4.9%Croke Park 4.9%Guinness related / St James Gate 4.6%St Patricks Cathederal 3.9%Molly Malone 3.6%St Stephen's Green 3.6%Wellington Monument 3.4%Four Courts 3.1%Casino in Marino 2.3%Dublin Castle 2.3%Aras an Uachtarain 2.1%Five lamps 2.1%Kilmainham Gaol 2.1%All others 49%

Perceptions of Dublin

N=1,134

Loving Dublin

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Older respondents more likely to “Love Dublin”

N=129

Why is it that you say you don’t "Love Dublin"?

Typical comments related to cost of living, public transport, planning and safety

Loving Dublin

“I find it a very difficult place to be. Quality of life is extremely poor especially on a low wage. Culturally, there is very little to do given that it's a capital city. And poor public transport planning makes much of the city poorly accessible without a car, despite its small size.”

“Lack of affordable accommodation. Impossible to navigate around due to one way systems that facilitate nobody. Expensive to park in. Cycle ways that are hyped as a great success but are of little use to most Dubliners. Bad development.”

“Too dirty, too much aggressive drunks Thursday to Sunday. Lack of proactive Garda presence. Transport is expensive and generally poor..”

“Too tolerant of anti social behaviour, drug taking, graffiti, litter.”

N=119

Why is it that you say you are not sure if you "Love Dublin"?

Typical comments related to safety, cost of living and cleanliness

Loving Dublin

“We lack the police presence that other major city's have to feel safe. Youths wearing tracksuits hassling tourists on a day to day basis. Its very dirty city with unfinished works from over the years not helping.”

“…As my home I love it dearly because it's full of happy memories. However, I live in the suburbs and work in the city centre, so every day I take a crowded, overpriced bus as far as O'Connell Street and walk the dirty, unswept streets, past the homeless people and the junkies.”

“…the city is getting increasingly dangerous particularly for older people - both citizens and tourists.”

“its not the Dublin I grew up in and when I was growing up I felt more safe.”

N=863

Loving Dublin

“Other” included “It’s my home”, family, convenient size, access to nature

N=1,017

In one sentence how do you think Dublin can best improve its perception for the benefit of all who live work and visit her?

Perception of Dublin

Complete set of suggestions contained in accompanying document

Improve / address: % mentionsCleanliness 27%Transport 15%Safety 9%Drug problem 7%Homelessness 5%Being friendly 3%Cost of living 2%Housing 2%Public realm 2%Communication 2%Anti social behaviour 2%Planning 2%Traffi c 2%Cycling 2%Begging 1%Heritage / history 1%Other 16%

N=1,134

Dublin as a Smart City

Perception of Dublin as a Smart City was lowest among students

N=701

In one sentence, why would you not think of Dublin as a Smart City?

Loving Dublin

Reason % mentionsLack of tech investment fo public good 20%Poorly integrated public transport 19%Poor broadband / communications infrastructure 14%No ubiquitous free wifi 9%Poor public realm / planning 8%Poverty / homelessness 4%Lack of local IT educated workforce 3%Not promoted as such 3%Not sure what a smart city is 1%Other reason 19%

“Other” reasons above included:•“All my interactions with its services involve so much paper work”•“A smart City would enforce harsher punishments on law breakers, it would also care for its animals and homeless.”•“Because of a lack of cohesion between different vested interests.”

N=332

In one sentence, why do you consider Dublin a Smart City?

Loving Dublin

Reason % mentionsPresence of IT companies 30%Smart young workforce / education 19%Use of technology and apps for services 17%Innovation in use of technology 8%Free wifi 6%Good communications infrastructure 4%Other 17%

“Other” reasons above included:•“I think the support it provides to technological business and creative and innovative individuals is excellent.”•“Variety of interesting places, theatres and events.”•“Because of the constant media assertions to that effect.”•“It's sophisticated and tech-savvy.”

N=1,134

Does Dublin City Council have a leadership role to play in:

Role of Dublin City Council

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Does Dublin City Council have a leadership role to play in:

Role of Dublin City Council

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Does Dublin City Council have a leadership role to play in:

Role of Dublin City Council

N=1,020

What do you think is the biggest challenge / obstacle to Dublin becoming known as a global smart / digital city?

Role of Dublin City Council

Obstacle to Becoming a Smart City % mentionsCommunications / transport infrastrcuture 20%Investment / funding 13%Attitude / perception 11%Lack of political leadership / vision, political issues 8%Housing availability / affordability 6%Lack of joined up thinking 4%Competition from other cities 4%Cost of living 3%Emigration 3%Red tape 2%Safety / drugs problem 4%Anti social behaviour 2%Small size 1%Other 20%

“Other” obstacles above included:•“Citizen understanding and knowledge of the tools available.”•“Corruption.”•“Dubliners need to learn more languages.”

N=1,134

A Smart City

No. Of First Choices

No. Of Second Choices

No. Of Third Choices

Total of First, Second

or Third Choices

Average Ranking Out of 6

World class city infrastructure using the latest cutting edge technology

524 188 118 830 2.15

Young talented, digitally educated workforce

202 257 252 711 2.85

City Council / Public Services making excellent use of Technology

137 227 134 498 3.60

Good supports for technology Start ups 76 140 194 410 3.76

R&D in Universities & Business 72 151 215 438 3.77

Lots of Tech businesses 57 80 121 258 4.48

What do you think makes a Smart / Digital city? (Rank in order of importance)

N=237

A Smart City

Is there anything else that you consider important in making a Smart City?

Other Important Considerations for Becoming Smart City % mentionsCommunications / transport infrastructure 22%Free public wifi 11%Education / upskilling 8%Planning / leadership 8%Citizen engagement 6%Involve all age groups 5%More affordable living 5%Make technology accessible for everyone 5%Promote / market as smart city 5%Improve safety 4%Cleaner city / green considerations 3%Investment 2%Other 16%

“Other” important considerations above included:•“More E charging for E cars.”•“Reforming tax structure to facilitate.”•“Support for the creative industries, including arts, gaming, animation, design etc.”

N=1,134

Dublin as a Tech Capital

In order to retain its position as a leading Tech capital, what are the three most important measures that Dublin needs to consider:

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Dublin as a Tech Capital

What do you perceive as the main reason that Dublin attracts so many Tech companies and start ups?

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Other Smart CitiesMany other global cities vie with Dublin in terms of being a ‘Smart capital’. Please choose up to three cities below that you feel Dublin could learn from in terms of being ‘Smart’ or ‘Digital’:

Survey draw winners – Autumn 2015 – City perception

Prizewinners for using their voice...to help Dublin.

- Gresham Hotel voucher - Ken O'Driscoll, Dublin 8- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0 - Caroline Cousins, Dublin 8- City Hall exhibition & lunch - Jim Holden, Dublin 22- Guinness Tour - Brian Teahan, Dublin - Guinness Tour - Laura Nolan, Wexford- Jameson Tour - David Conway, Dublin 12 - Jameson Tour - Kay Lonergan, Dublin 3

......Congratulations all and well done!