Holograms in Smart Cities: A Visual Layer for the Connected Urban Landscape

As global cities push toward smarter, more connected infrastructure, the role of real-time, visual communication becomes increasingly critical. Data may be the lifeblood of a smart city, but data alone is invisible. The real challenge lies in delivering information in a way that is immediate, accessible, and impactful. Holographic displays are emerging as one of the most powerful solutions to this problem.

A New Class of Urban Infrastructure

In a 2023 report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), global spending on smart city technology is projected to reach $203 billion by 2026. Much of this investment is flowing into systems that collect and process information, including sensors, AI platforms, and cloud-based analytics. Yet very little of that infrastructure is visible to the average city resident or visitor.

Holographic displays change that. Installed strategically in public spaces, transport hubs, commercial centers, and municipal buildings, holograms can serve as the city's visual interface. They can display everything from safety messages and transport updates to hyperlocal advertisements and community notices. They bridge the gap between digital data and human interaction.

Information That Is Impossible to Ignore

Traditional screens compete for attention. Holographic displays, by contrast, occupy physical space and command visual priority. In a recent eye-tracking study conducted by the University of Leeds, 3D holographic content was found to capture attention 3.8 times faster than flat signage and held viewer engagement for up to 5.2 seconds longer.

In a smart city context, this is invaluable. Whether helping a tourist navigate the transport network or delivering evacuation instructions during an emergency, speed and clarity of communication are essential.

Dual-Use Technology for Safety and Surveillance

Modern holographic displays, such as those produced by Miirage, are already being designed with embedded cameras and microphones. These additions turn each display into a passive surveillance node that can integrate into a city’s broader CCTV system.

The implications for public safety are significant. Emergency services could override content on the displays to issue real-time alerts. In the event of a fire, terrorist threat, or environmental hazard, holograms could display animated evacuation routes, first aid guidance, or instructions in multiple languages.

Furthermore, these systems can be used proactively. With AI-powered analytics processing audio and video feeds, cities could monitor crowd behavior, detect unusual movements, or trigger alerts when people enter restricted zones. As cities seek ways to manage urban density and public events more safely, holographic infrastructure offers a flexible and scalable tool.

Commercial Opportunities and Advertising Revenue

Smart cities are not only about safety and efficiency. They must also be economically sustainable. Urban real estate developers and municipal authorities are increasingly looking at digital media infrastructure as a revenue stream.

According to PwC, global digital out-of-home advertising revenue reached $18.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 10.1 percent through 2028. Holographic displays represent a high-value subset of this market due to their visual novelty and engagement metrics.

Miirage displays, for example, can host advertising loops with sponsored content, delivering 3D ads in high-footfall areas such as train stations, shopping centers, or airports. These assets can be leased to brands, local businesses, or event organizers, creating a recurring revenue stream for both property owners and city governments.

Smart Indoor Applications in Public Buildings

Inside civic buildings, museums, universities, and hospitals, holograms can be used to deliver visitor information without requiring staff intervention. They can serve as interactive directories, exhibit guides, or multilingual concierge systems. With proximity sensors and AI capabilities, these displays can even tailor messages based on time of day, foot traffic, or user behavior.

In post-pandemic environments, this kind of touchless interaction is not just a convenience but often a necessity. In 2022, a survey by Deloitte found that 61 percent of public service users preferred digital interaction over face-to-face engagement for basic services. Holograms allow institutions to meet that demand in a way that feels intuitive and engaging.

Event Driven Deployments and Urban Festivals

Cities host hundreds of large-scale events every year, from music festivals and sports tournaments to trade expos and cultural parades. These moments strain city infrastructure and require dynamic coordination of people and resources.

Holographic displays can serve as temporary or permanent installations to help manage these events. They can display live schedules, emergency updates, or branded content. When integrated with AI crowd sensors and geospatial data, these displays can even adapt in real time to shifting pedestrian flows or congestion hotspots.

For example, during London Tech Week or Paris Fashion Week, holograms placed at major junctions could provide real-time updates, wayfinding, or even livestream content from key venues. They can do this without the need for app downloads or physical signage replacements.

Humanising the Smart City

The future of smart cities is not about more screens or faster data. It is about building environments that feel alive, adaptive, and responsive. Holographic displays provide a visual medium that is immersive, understandable, and human-centered.

They offer not just utility but presence. They allow cities to speak directly to their citizens, to alert, entertain, inform, and guide without intermediaries. In a world where urban dwellers increasingly expect seamless digital experiences in physical spaces, holograms are not decorative extras. They are becoming foundational.