Intelligent Communities

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We've been named the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year! Globally, we are being recognized for our student talent, innovation, digital inclusion, engagement and more!

This honour reflects the incredible collaboration of our community partners, including our eight local municipalities: Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge and Whitby, along with 1855 Accelerator, Brilliant Catalyst, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham GTA, and local boards of trade and chambers of commerce. This win belongs to all of us!

Community Stories

Read about the work taking place right here in Durham Region that contribute to our intelligent community recognition

Photo Gallery: 2025 Intelligent Communities Community Stories will appear here on the public site.

We’re not just growing — we’re designing what comes next

We are the Clean Energy Capital of Canada

Durham generates 34% of Ontario’s electricity and is home to:
- Darlington Small Modular Reactor (SMR) – the first in a G7 country.
- Each SMR powers 300,000 homes; all four will power 1.2 million.

This is clean energy innovation at a global scale, but it doesn't stop there.

Workforce ready, industry driven

85%—23,000+—post-secondary students participate in experiential learning!
Students are solving problems, building prototypes, and contributing to the region before graduation.

Did you know? At Trent Durham, researchers in the Cognition, Health, Aging and Technology (CHAT) lab are partnering with the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region to promote social connection between students and persons living with dementia through an intergenerational program.

Designing a future that works—for everyone

Durham is growing with intention:
- Environmental sustainability is a guiding principle.
- Durham Greener Homes Program: 1,600+ residents supported with energy-efficient upgrades.

Broadband built for everyone

Durham OneNet is:
- Region-owned,
- Open-access and
- Built once to serve all
It’s:
- Bridging the digital divide,
- Supporting transit-oriented development,
- Connecting Next-Gen 911 and more.

Broadband is more than a utility—it’s the foundation of resilience.

A photo of the Intelligent Communities Forum smiling, standing in front of a banner that reads. Top7 Intelligent Communities of the Year.

Intelligent Communities Consortium

Durham can’t become a truly intelligent region without the help of many partners. Using the Intelligent Community Forum Framework as a guide, consortium partners work together to leverage our innovation ecosystem, initiate pilot projects and tackle region-wide challenges. The Advisory Committee includes representation from local area municipalities, post-secondary institutions and boards of trade and chambers of commerce, to ensure alignment among community initiatives, and participation in an evaluation process to inform future directions.

In the News

Durham Region has been named 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year! Learn more about why we were selected.

Durham Region receives intelligent Community certification

Durham Region has been recognized as a fully certified intelligent community by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a designation provided to communities that are poised for investment, and set to succeed economically, socially and culturally.

Durham Region joins Winnipeg, Manitoba as the second Canadian community to receive this prestigious designation. Certification will remain in place until October 2027.

Read the certification news release.

Durham Region named a Top7 Intelligent Community for 2024

For the third consecutive year, Durham Region has been recognized as one of the world’s Top7 Intelligent Communities by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). This accolade celebrates municipalities that use technology, innovation and digital inclusion to enhance citizens’ lives and drive economic growth.

Durham Region named a Top7 Intelligent Community for 2023

Durham Region has been named one of the top seven global Intelligent Communities of 2023 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).

The announcement marks the 21st annual top seven list and comes following the 2023 Top7 Intelligent Communities Conference hosted by the Region of Durham, in partnership with ICF.

Durham Region named a Smart21 Intelligent Community for 2023

Durham Region has been announced a Smart21 community of the year for the third year in a row!

The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)’s Smart21 Communities program recognizes the world's leading municipalities that are successfully leveraging data and digital assets to develop inclusive and prosperous communities.

Durham Region is being recognized on the global stage for its modern technology and leadership in innovation to improve economic competitiveness, engage citizens, and increase connectivity to support smarter, healthier, more equitable and sustainable communities.

Innovative projects include the myDurham 311 Smart Home Device Voice Service project, the first in Canada to bring regional services to a smart home device; and CityStudio Durham offering experiential learning to tomorrow’s leaders by opening up municipal government to the classroom.

Learn more about the Smart21 Communities of 2023.

Durham Region featured in Municipal World

Durham Region’s Intelligent Community journey was recently featured in Municipal World.

"Connections with community organizations, other orders of government, not-for-profits, incubators, and post-secondary institutions create an innovative ecosystem to help propel new ideas forward. In a community of the future, these connections will be what keeps citizens engaged, connected, and thriving.”

Learn how Durham became a global Top7 Intelligent Community.

Durham Region named a Top7 Intelligent Community for 2022

Durham Region has been named one of the top seven global Intelligent Communities of 2022 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). The ICF’s Top Seven list recognizes communities who exemplify best practices in broadband deployment, workforce development, innovation, digital inclusion and advocacy.

Durham’s booming growth, talent pool, leading academics, and excellent quality of life is why top investors from around the globe want to be here.

Durham Region named a Smart21 Intelligent Community

The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has recognized Durham Region as one of the Smart21 Communities of the Year for the second year in a row.

Durham is undergoing digital transformation and leading the way in innovation. This award is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to innovation, engagement, and strengthening connectivity to our residents across the region.

Learn about the Smart21 Intelligent Communities of 2022.

Learn more about the Smart21 Intelligent Communities of 2021.

Durham Region is a certified intelligent community

Durham Region is as a fully certified intelligent community by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a designation provided to communities that are poised for investment, and set to succeed economically, socially and culturally. Read the certification news release.