Interested in joining our
smart city research community?

In short

Join us in shaping the future of smart cities!

Connect with our vibrant research community, access our network and resources, and drive urban innovation.

From cross-disciplinary collaboration to impactful projects, we provide the support and platform for your research to thrive.

20+

researchers working currently in the Centre

100+

academic publications published annually by the Centre

Watch the recordings of Smart City Exchange Forum 2025

We hosted the 5th Smart City Exchange Forum, bringing together 100+ onsite participants and 500+ online attendees from 39 countries! Experts shared insights on dynamic capabilities in the public sector, data sovereignty in turbulent times, energy and mobility governance challenges, and the entrepreneur’s perspective on building a smart neighborhood. Thought-provoking discussions also tackled regulatory sandboxes—their benefits and limitations—and how to balance regulation with innovation. Missed the event? Want to revisit key insights? Watch the recordings!

Watch recordings

International
collaboration projects

FinEst Centre is already collaborating with experts from Germany, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Ukraine, and several other countries.

Explore our international projects and join or propose ways to collaborate!

MAPIT

We enhance digital innovation for SMEs and research entities by fostering partnerships into European R&I network.

FINEX

We support Cleantech deployment and regulatory development through partners' expertise.

FINEST SCALEUP

We are establishing a deep tech innovation ecosystem in the Baltic Sea Region.
connected cities

METACITIES

We connect a balanced mix of MetaCity and Smart City ecosystems
data sharing

PLIADES

We aim to facilitate cross-domain data sharing by enabling users from diverse data spaces to exchange data safely.
energy management system

FLEdge

We are developing a hierarchical flexibility energy management system
data spaces

European Data Space for Smart Communities (DS4SSCC-DEP)

We aim to build a territorial, place-based data space for smart communities.
circular economy

TREASoURcE

We aim to initiate systemic change by developing systemic circular economy solutions in cities and regions.
NetZeroCities

NetZeroCities

We pursue the ambition of the Mission Board for Climate Neutral and Smart Cities report, to achieve climate neutrality before 2050.
Urban Learning Center

Urban Learning Center

We bring new learning and networking opportunities within the M4EG network providing an enabling learning ecosystem.
Indoor Air Quality

EDIAQI

We tackle the emerging threats of indoor air pollution and promote living and working in healthy environments in Europe.
Urban Air Mobility

CityAM

We develop and implement concepts for urban air mobility, landing sites, social acceptance and drone policy development.

UrbanLIFEcircles

We introduce biodiversity management in urban areas for improved connectivity, ecosystem health for Tartu, Aarhus, Riga.
FinEst Twins project

FinEst Twins

We are developing cross-border, knowledge-sharing infrastructure through real-life pilot projects in Estonia and Finland.

What's new?

Los Angeles, California, USA
Uudised
juuli 16, 2025
Meet Austin: Stanford sustainability leader by day, 3D time traveler by night
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
juuni 17, 2025
CitySense turns public vehicles into moving data collectors
Keskkond
Uudised
juuni 06, 2025
Evaluating Transferability of the Digital Marketplace: Estonian Perspective
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
mai 29, 2025
Six new pilots tackle real-world challenges in Helsinki
Sündmused
Uudised
aprill 28, 2025
Reigniting an Open, Bold & Collaborative European Digital Economy Amidst €200bn AI Ambitions
Einari Kisel asub uude ametisse energiapoliitikate praktik-professorina
Energeetika
Uudised
september 10, 2024
Uus amet ülikoolis: Energiapoliitikate praktik-professor
Eesti inimesed on hakanud kõrge elektrihinnaga tundidel oma elektritarbimist teadlikumalt juhtima
Energeetika
Uudised
aprill 30, 2024
Raport: Elektri hinnahüpped panevad inimesi oma tarbimist juhtima
Energeetika
Uudised
juuni 07, 2023
Estonian researchers developed an open-source platform for efficient energy flow management
Energeetika
Uudised
aprill 13, 2023
Estonian researchers developed a platform for real-time energy efficiency and indoor climate assessment
Energeetika
märts 13, 2023
How can we implement a seamless Renovation Wave in Estonia?
Keskkond
Uudised
juuni 06, 2025
Evaluating Transferability of the Digital Marketplace: Estonian Perspective
UrbanLIFEcircles team visit to project site in Tartu
Keskkond
Uudised
juuli 23, 2024
Roheringi projekt kaasab elanikke elurikkuse suurendamisse virtuaalreaalsusega
Circular economy action in TREASoURcE project
Keskkond
Uudised
juuli 17, 2024
Innovatsioon ringmajanduses: projekti TREASoURcE mõju
Biojäätmete kasutamise töötuba TREASoURcE projektis
Keskkond
Uudised
september 18, 2023
TREASoURcE Project: Factors and challenges in shaping circular economies
Keskkond
juuni 22, 2022
Henry Patzig: “I am responsible for my planet!”
Sündmused
Uudised
aprill 28, 2025
Reigniting an Open, Bold & Collaborative European Digital Economy Amidst €200bn AI Ambitions
Valitsemistava
Sündmused
Uudised
aprill 14, 2025
Kuidas panna digikaksikud ja andmed kohalike omavalitsuste teenistusse?
Smart City Exchange Forum 2025
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Sündmused
Valitsemistava
aprill 10, 2025
Tark linn on koostöine linn
Urban Innovators Meetup by FinEst Centre
Sündmused
Uudised
mai 21, 2024
Urban Innovators Meetup: Greater impact leads to higher returns
teaduse ja ettevõtluse koostöö
Sündmused
Pilootprojektid
Uudised
jaanuar 10, 2024
Kuhu kulub hoones energia? Digiauditi lahendus teab täpselt
Valitsemistava
Sündmused
Uudised
aprill 14, 2025
Kuidas panna digikaksikud ja andmed kohalike omavalitsuste teenistusse?
Smart City Exchange Forum 2025
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Sündmused
Valitsemistava
aprill 10, 2025
Tark linn on koostöine linn
Phd defence on smart and sustainable cities
Uudised
Valitsemistava
juuli 08, 2024
Doktoritöö: Teel targemate jätkusuutlike linnade poole
Uudised
Valitsemistava
jaanuar 15, 2024
Kuidas juhtida tarka linna? Praktiline käsiraamat annab juhised
Valitsemistava
november 24, 2023
Introducing the new smart cities playbook
Serio Angelo Agriesti, successfully defended his doctoral thesis at Aalto University's department of Built Environment
Liikuvus
Uudised
oktoober 04, 2024
Doctoral thesis: Lowering modeling barriers for activity-based large-scale urban modeling
Liikuvus
Uudised
veebruar 14, 2024
Project CITYAM: Shaping the future of Urban Air Mobility
Various mobility options are offered, but not always available for students for various reasons
Liikuvus
september 15, 2023
Uncovering the digital transformation of Kinshasa: Impact of phones on daily mobility
Liikuvus
mai 19, 2023
Exploring Indian women’s inclusion in smart mobility
Liikuvus
Pilootprojektid
detsember 12, 2021
Future mobility: Self-driving shuttle – expected quests on the doorstep or keep them away? Large survey in Rae Parish
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
juuni 17, 2025
CitySense turns public vehicles into moving data collectors
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
mai 29, 2025
Six new pilots tackle real-world challenges in Helsinki
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
veebruar 27, 2025
From lab to life: FinEst Mini-Piloting Programme for research-based innovations
Photo by Yoshihiro on Unsplash
Pilootprojektid
Uudised
jaanuar 14, 2025
UrbanSplash Launches Water Quality Assessment Pilot – Meet the Team Behind It
Tallinn's best business initiatives of 2024 announced
Pilootprojektid
Uudised
oktoober 25, 2024
Tippkvaliteet energiatõhususes: DigiAudit pärjati auhinnaga, RESTO jõudis finalistide hulka
Los Angeles, California, USA
Uudised
juuli 16, 2025
Meet Austin: Stanford sustainability leader by day, 3D time traveler by night
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
juuni 17, 2025
CitySense turns public vehicles into moving data collectors
Keskkond
Uudised
juuni 06, 2025
Evaluating Transferability of the Digital Marketplace: Estonian Perspective
Uudised
Pilootprojektid
mai 29, 2025
Six new pilots tackle real-world challenges in Helsinki
Sündmused
Uudised
aprill 28, 2025
Reigniting an Open, Bold & Collaborative European Digital Economy Amidst €200bn AI Ambitions
Smart City Challenge 2024 finalists
Smart City Challenge
Uudised
jaanuar 07, 2025
Targa linna ideekonkurss 2024: Tutvuge kuue finalistiga
Smart City Solutions workshop
Uudised
Smart City Challenge
september 26, 2024
Next steps for Smart City Challenge 2024 pilot project proposal
urban challenges
Pilootprojektid
Smart City Challenge
juuni 04, 2024
Linnalised väljakutsed ootavad teadlaste lahendusideid
Smart City Challenge 2023 preparing smart city pilot projects proposals
Smart City Challenge
Uudised
aprill 25, 2024
Soovitusi ideekonkursi finalistidele edukaks pilootprojektiks
Smart City Challenge
Uudised
aprill 01, 2024
Tutvuge targa linna ideekonkursi kuue värske finalistiga
Smart City Exchange Forum 2025
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Sündmused
Valitsemistava
aprill 10, 2025
Tark linn on koostöine linn
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Uudised
veebruar 17, 2025
Nutikad tehnoloogiad ja andmed – lihtsalt järgmine tööriist või tuleviku linna taristu?
data spaces
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Uudised
veebruar 19, 2024
European Data Space for Smart Communities
Andmed ja andmeanalüüs
Uudised
jaanuar 22, 2024
Project PLIADES takes dataspace architecture into new era for AI and robotics

Contact us

Keep making
a difference

Be part of a team that transforms urban environments, tests groundbreaking ideas, and builds cities for people.

Collaborate with like-minded researchers

Join the FinEst Centre's research community and work with curious minds to shape the future of urban living.