Challenges and Solution Proposals of 2024

In order to meet the environmental challenges, construction industry needs to turn more to circular economy. So reusing materials from old buildings to build new ones should be used a lot more. Currently the issue is that no one knows what is inside the old buildings and how they are built, so it is difficult to turn the building into a material bank. The same system should also compare CO2 emission for different ways- whether using materials from specific old building or using new ones to build a new building. And third important thing to consider is the price for…

Today food waste is transported to the mainland, causing the environmental footprint in logistics and leaving the island without respective resource. On the other side, Saaremaa foresees the potential for aquaculture and poultry farms, after offshore windfarms help bringing the energy costs down and provide steady supply of clean electricity. The feed has been imported, the energy prices too high so far for the farming sector and feed production locally. Food waste is a perfect raw material for growing insects (such as black larvae flies), to farm them in reactors for a protein-rich feedstock for fish and chicken. Leftovers of…

Porto Alegre, the capital of the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, the southernmost Brazilian state, has been suffering from intense rains since late April 2024. These rains generated flooding 5.35 meters above the riverbed on the Guaķba River waterfront. Even though the Guaķba is known as a river, it is technically a lake and an estuary with a 72-km coastline, receiving the waters from the four biggest rivers in the RS state. This flood reaches 46 neighbourhoods (out of 96), directly impacting around 157 thousand people (14% of residents) and 39 thousand buildings in the city. About three weeks…

The banks of the rivers located in the City of Pärnu are an attractive area that is wanted to be used more and more. Several landslides have occurred on the banks of rivers over the years, which affects planning and construction activities in these areas. The results of the geological surveys compiled so far shows that the rivers have numerous landslide-prone or potentially landslide-prone areas, where construction and planning activities require special measures to ensure the stability of the shores. This is a big problem for the city, as the pressure to use the waterfront is high and growing every…

Milton Keynes is one of the physically greenest cities in the UK, with large amounts of green space to maintain. Many of the spaces the Council does landscaping services on are grass verges and roundabouts located on or near busy and fast roads, which require expensive and disruptive road closures to access. The City Council estimates it spends over £1 million GBP per annum on the road closures alone to allow the landscaping work to happen and keep staff safe, and when accounting for the total cost of staff, equipment and these closures, over £2 million per annum and this…

Today, the challenge for local governments is to carry out various monitoring activities with limited human resources. We see a great opportunity here to use AI to automate surveillance activities and reduce the pressure on human labour. The problem is getting worse over time. Another important challenge is the implementation of data-based decision-making processes for municipalities and the collection, processing and management of basic data used in these processes. A growing trend is the use of drones for data collection and service provision. In the case of this challenge, it is important to integrate the aforementioned three components into one…

There is no common system and environment to map all possible data for the whole urban space. We need all possible data related to the urban space to be used later, e.g. materials, heights, volumes, road surface, landscaping (how landscaping changes throughout the year; e.g. to see if the landscaping to be installed will obscure traffic signs), building material, tree types, etc. We need an easy, cheap and quick solution to get all possible data quickly. Previously done data mapping etc. For example, we would need roof material data to find out if the roof material absorbs or radiates heat.…

Rīga Municipality maintains a large scale (1:500) topographic information database, which includes information on underground infrastructure, i.e., power grid, sewerage, rainwater drainage system, gas pipelines etc. The data is maintained in vector data formats consisting of 600+ data levels/objects and split in 1000+ and more maps/planchets. To maintain and update data a proprietary software is used. In order to promote data exchange with other potential data users, it is important to ensure data exchange and compatibility with other data systems/ data users and the possibility to add additional data to the municipal database. Existing data structure and software does not…

City planning is a complex process that requires many factors to be taken into account. 3D building models can help Gdynia’s urban planners understand how new structures will affect the existing urban environment. These models can help predict the impact of new buildings on wind flow, noise levels and heat distribution in a city. The use of such solutions is very important in cities. It will allow for a sustainable development of the urban fabric. Introducing such a challenge in Gdynia would make it possible to realise another innovative step in building the ‘city of the sea and the dreams…

For the past 5 years, the city of Tel-Aviv has been under unprecedented construction works, and is expected to continue its massive constructions for the next 15-20 years. Two light rail train lines are currently under construction and not due for completion until 2027, one of the rail train lines has been recently completed, and three additional Metro lines are due to begin construction in the next two years. These massive construction works, transportation changes and narrowed roads and sidewalks impact everyone in the city and make it very difficult to move around the city safely. Pedestrians and cyclists are…

The City of Espoo, High North Development Group / City of Kirkenes, Finest Bay Area Development and Smart City Innovation Cluster are witnessing and grappling with the significant challenge of a high number of vacant and underutilized commercial real estate properties. Post-pandemic shifts in work habits, including the rise of remote and hybrid work, have drastically reduced the demand for traditional commercial spaces. This has led to increased vacancy rates, depreciated property values, and underutilized urban spaces. Solving this challenge is crucial for maintaining urban vibrancy, economic stability, and social well-being. Vacant commercial buildings contribute to urban decay, reduce property…

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece, with over 300 thousand people residing within the Municipality of Thessaloniki and close to 1,1 million in the broader Metropolitan Area of the city. As per the latest available data (2011) , the total building stock of the Metropolitan Area is slightly over 500 thousand buildings, 25% of which is empty. Based on 2020 data by the electric grid operator company, more than 70,5 thousand real estate assets are non-electrified, with about half of them (48%) having previously been used as homes. The ongoing energy crisis in Greece and high levels of…

Bilhorod-Dnistкyi is located on the banks of the Dniester estuary at a distance of 20 km from the Black Sea. Neighboring communities Shabivska rural community, Mologivska, Zatokivska and Sergiivska rural communities. Also, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is located 80 km from the city of Odesa – the regional center of the Odesa region. Like many Ukrainian communities, our city is reeling from the consequences of Russian aggression. Today, one of the biggest challenges of our city is the energy independence of critical infrastructure objects, because it is a matter of survival for us. Systematic missile attacks on Ukraine’s power systems lead to emergency…

Modern urban lighting must balance the various needs of people, providing security, considering aesthetics, comfort, well-being, and be economical. Street mobility systems like electric cars or traffic management systems require additional energy sources. Building of new grids enhances the total CO2 footprint. Cities need new smart grid solutions that do not improve the negative environmental footprint. Integrating LED streetlights with smart city infrastructure and provision of new services and opportunities is a key urban challenge. LED technology offers new opportunities for urban lighting, but excessive or poorly directed artificial light can cause light pollution, impacting energy use, ecosystems, wildlife, and…

One of the challenges Alba Iulia (and all the cities in Romania/Europe) is confronting with is the excess of local produced energy from solar panels. The ascension of green energy for private houses is surging tremendously in the last years. If in 2019 there were only 303 prosumers at National level, in 2022 30.000 houses managed to implement solar panels, with the help of gov. funds and became prosumers. Moreover, in 2024 the number of „green houses” passed through 110.000. The biggest challenge having so much green energy produced is the poorly managed state of the National grid. Even if…

Our city grapples with several pressing issues that hinder both its sustainability and the well-being of its residents: 1. One of our primary challenges lies in our energy infrastructure. Due to constant attacks on the energy system of Ukraine, there are blackouts in every city. Therefore, Chernivtsi struggles with an unreliable energy supply and a significant reliance on non-renewable sources. This not only poses environmental risks but also threatens the long-term sustainability of our city. 2. Community integration and spaces. Chernivtsi faces a critical need for ecologically friendly public spaces that foster community integration and social cohesion. With a growing…

While 100% of the city’s daytime electricity is from renewable sources, Eilat’s residents haven’t followed the same pace to install private solar panels or create community energy hubs to ensure the energy produced matches the growing demand consumption. Usually, for property owners comparing solar panel offers, based on a long term perception can be so confusing that most of them give up on going through the installation. Thus, while the city is moving forward, a gap has been growing between the municipality’s ambition and the residents. We believe that this could become a challenge as the property sector expands quickly…

As Pärnu is the summer capital of Estonia, the number of people increases several times in summer. The increased number of people in the summer capital will also have an impact on traffic on the Pärnu River. The last few years have seen an increase in watercraft traffic on the river, which has caused its own share of problems. There will be more and more situations where people do not have information about competitions, speed limits etc. on the river, which in its turn will create unpleasant or even dangerous situations. This is important to our city because sustainable traffic…

Tel Aviv city is facing a number of issues linked to the increasing numbers of Micro Mobility users; one of them is the lack of safety for pedestrians. Cyclists/ motorbikes/e-scooters riding on the sidewalks against the rules and poor enforcement pose a real danger to pedestrians. As the city is considered a “walkable city” and promotes itself as a “pedestrian-friendly city”, it is one of the city’s top priorities to provide quality space for pedestrians through sidewalks and street space, especially for vulnerable people such as children, infants, elderly and people with disabilities. In many major cities with large, congested…

When you are deaf or your hearing is impaired, travelling by public transport can be a challenge. A lot of standard information is usually provided on screens, but in many means of transport it is common to call out additional messages, for example regarding unplanned situations like ’Unfortunately, we are running late due to a defect of this vehicle’ or ’Beware, there is a pickpocket on this train’. In Amsterdam, we would like public transport to be accessible to all. If hearing impaired and deaf people could also receive the information that is called out, for example on their smartphone,…

The city provides seven public transportation routes (buses) that connect all neighborhoods of the city. Free city public transport is available to all residents of Jūrmala with the “Jūrmala residents’ card”. For citizens that don’t have “Jūrmala residents’ card” or tourists the rides fee is 0,70 EUR. Right now, the ticket validation takes place by applying the card to the card validator or buying the ticket from the driver. The data we can collect from this is ticket validation count and sold ticket count. To make the transport route more efficient (departure times, frequency, etc.) more precise data is needed…

During major events and on a daily basis in the city, the problem of finding a parking space quickly arises. To reduce traffic jams that occur when looking for a parking space, it would be necessary to find a solution for equiping the parking lots in the city with appropriate sensoring/monitoring system to monitor occupancy of parking spaces at the city level. Searching for free parking spaces in city generates a large proportion of traffic flows (congestion), which could be avoided by establishing comprehensive monitoring or digital control over the occupancy of parking spaces in the city. The so-called white…

The city of Pula applies to the Smart City Challenge 2024 with the hope of finding a suitable way to improve communication between the administration and citizens, to make human-centric solutions and make it easier to understand the possible urban planning design options for residents. The city of Pula often conducts public consultations with the interested public on various topics. Unfortunately, there are often very few comments at public consultations. When focus groups are organized on a certain topic there is very little response. When we want to find out the opinion of citizens, it is difficult to get the…

Health preserving and enhancing urban and workplace environment. Innovation challenge is focused on leveraging smart city technologies and data-driven solutions to address health-related issues in urban environments and hybrid workplaces. The general concept derives from holistic health model (physical-mental-social wellbeing) and addresses the challenges through environmental, community engagement and new solutions/services dimensions.

In order to move towards circular economy in construction sector, existing buildings should be considered as materials banks instead of CDW. Previous research in Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe have shown that building parts (e.g. wall panels, ceiling panels, posts, beams, foundation etc) once produced for a certain functionality might still have acquired properties and reuse potential as a building parts. As most of the CO2 footprint of buildings comes from the main physical structural and building envelope elements, it would be reasonable to keep using these on their original function as much as possible. Majority of…

The initial proposal aims to collaboratively develop a smart community toolkit that empowers communities to better manage floods and other disasters. Additionally, we plan to pilot CogniCity OSS (Open Source Software), an urban risk management platform designed to gather real-time reports and crowd-sourced data.

The proposed solution is a toolkit, based on a suitable hard- and software infrastructure as well as on preliminary and follow-up empirical analyses, which supports a ‘behavioral resilience plan’ for potentially affected citizens under different levels of hazardous events. This would involve ranking the flooding impact as minor, moderate, major, or catastrophic, ensuring that the action plan is tailored to the severity of each event.

For an automated street marking detection system, a diverse dataset is essential. For collecting the images, either drones or special road vehicles equipped with necessary hardware for data collection may be used. Drones capture spatial data, but issues like shadows from trees and buildings can affect the quality of image dataset. Similarly, sensors data collected from the road vehicles face challenges like obstruction by moving vehicles and low information density in markings. Traditional image-processing methods rely on individual features, but they struggle with distortions, lighting changes, and distractions. A deep-learning-based AI (Artificial Intelligence) model has the possibility to offer a…

The solution we proposing is to create an additional service on CitySense platform. This means CitySense platform would have virtual extension for street markings detection and evaluation. CitySense addresses various urban challenges by implementing a dynamic and flexible mobile sensing network. Every mobile node has processing core and several sensors including camera, GNSS and IMU. Mobile nodes placed on city-owned or partner vehicles continuously collect data as they move, ensuring comprehensive coverage without the need for fixed sensor installations. This approach reduces the need for manual inspections and reporting, minimizing human error and increasing reliability. This collected data is then…

We propose a comprehensive AI-based solution for monitoring street markings that incorporates the following components: Regular Data Collection: Drones: Utilize high-resolution cameras mounted on drones to capture detailed images of street markings. Data collection will occur biannually (spring and autumn) to ensure up-to-date information on the condition of markings.

In collaboration with Teede Tehnokeskus and TalTech, a 3D mapping and machine learning solution will provide comprehensive and integrated street marking detection system. Our StreetVision Pro solution automates monitoring activities, reducing the need for human resources and allowing city personnel to focus on other critical tasks. New data will be collected and calibrated against previously gathered data to ensure accuracy and reliability. Existing data from Teede Tehnokeskus and the cities, such as information on road markings and other urban objects, will be used to train AI models, improving their precision and enabling more accurate analysis. TalTech will apply their expertise…

Our project involves the strategic implementation of solar panels and thermal insulation solutions using 3D models of buildings in cities. In this way, energy efficiency will be achieved, solar energy production will be optimized and energy consumption of buildings will be reduced. Solar panels will be placed on the most efficient roof areas according to the energy consumption intensity in the city and the excess energy generated will be returned to the grid. In addition, energy savings will be achieved by implementing thermal insulation solutions such as sheathing in buildings.

In the upcoming decades, Data and AI will be central to driving sustainable development as the United Nations prescribes through several goals, many of which pertain to cities. However, data alone has little value—it is the way data is used that exposes its potential. The Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom (DIKW) Pyramid effectively illustrates this concept, which emphasizes the four interconnected stages to transform raw data into actionable wisdom.

Urban trees improve the living quality and health of citizens, while also providing many Ecosystem Services. However, the value of trees gets easily undermined or lost against other competing factors in urban planning, largely because of a lack of visibility of tree information in urban information systems. This is particularly the case with tree roots, which often take up the same space that city planners and constructors are targeting when building or maintaining critical urban infrastructure. As tree roots are invisible to citizens and urban stakeholders, it is generally poorly understood how e.g. damage to tree roots during excavations will…

We propose the development of a Smart Construction Management System that integrates several key components: 1. Real-Time Monitoring: Deploy IoT sensors and smart cameras to provide real-time data on construction site conditions, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety.

Empty commercial real estate has a significant negative impact on a city’s economy and society. Our goal is to utilize these spaces through temporary rental solutions, which range from a day to three months, including pop-ups, exhibitions, and one-off events. We primarily focus on commercial spaces located on the ground floor of residential buildings. However, our solution can also be applied to other types of spaces, such as those originally designed for offices.

I propose a solution based on property tokenization using blockchain technology. This solution divides a commercial property into digital tokens, each representing a fraction of ownership. Investors can purchase these tokens at affordable prices, gaining a proportional voting power in key decisions regarding the property, such as renovation plans, usage, and resident selection. The funds from token sales will be used to enhance and repurpose the property, revitalizing it and increasing its value.

Affordable housing and the cost-of-living crises are challenges that require diverse interventions across different domains of city planning and management. Yet effective mitigation of the structural roots of the crisis, such as increasing housing and energy costs, often exceed the capacities of local governments. As the city of Thessaloniki frames their challenge, 25% of the city’s housing stock remains uninhabited, primarily due to overwhelming operational costs intensified by widespread energy poverty. A similar issue is evident in Tallinn, albeit in the context of public assets, where buildings’ heating loads and resultant costs render many otherwise functional assets unusable. This is…

The challenges of street lighting infrastructure highlighted in the call can all be consolidated into the following categories:People’s well-being and sense of security, Integration of renewable energy production and provision of new services, Energy-efficiency and life-cycle costs.

We propose the “Smart Urban Lighting System” (SULS), which integrates advanced LED technology with smart grid infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and EV charging stations. The system will use real-time data from various sensors—including temperature, presence, and environmental sensors—to optimize lighting and support urban management.

2.1 Patented IoT Technology. Huna has developed and patented a new and more efficient technology, based on a new method of communication based on impulses between i) Light Buddy, a device in the electrical cabinet engineered by Huna, and ii) Light Mate, a 10 cm device engineered by Huna as well, installed in the luminaire.

We propose the “Sustainable Energy Exchange Network” (SEEN), a comprehensive system that facilitates the efficient use of excess green energy by creating local energy communities. This system will leverage blockchain technology for transparent energy trading, IoT sensors for real-time monitoring, and smart grid solutions to manage energy distribution.

The proposed solution is a “Smart Energy Sharing Network” that enables consumers (private households, public buildings, etc.) to store and/or share their excess green energy production within a local energy community. The network will function through a smart energy management system that allows consumers to directly allocate surplus energy to other members of the community, such as local hospitals, schools, or public infrastructure. The system would bypass the current overloaded national grid by creating a decentralized, city-level energy market for efficient energy distribution.

We propose establishing Community-Driven Renewable Energy Hubs (CDREH) across Chernivtsi. These hubs will integrate renewable energy sources into public spaces while fostering community engagement and improving psycho-emotional well-being. Each hub will feature solar panels, wind turbines, and multifunctional public areas designed to serve as both energy generators and community centers.

Our project aims to bridge the gap between the citizens’ green energy ambitions and their capabilities in the domain of space and location ownerships. It enhances the existing solar platforms to provide clear information and support for solar adoption, while also creating community energy hubs that encourage collective energy solutions. The key innovations include:

We propose developing a centralized system of buoys and digital panels that display real-time information for users of the Pärnu River, such as pleasure craft users, canoeists, sailors, and sportsmen involved in water sports. This system will provide crucial operational updates, including speed limits, wave and current conditions, restrictions, competition schedules, and safety advisories.

We propose implementing a Smart River Traffic Management System that utilizes LED signs with variable messaging installed on bridges and floating platforms along the Pärnu River. This system will provide real-time information to watercraft operators, including speed limits, safety warnings, and event notifications.

We propose the development of an autonomous robot patrol boat equipped with advanced object detection sensors (X-band radar, multiple 4 mm radars, cameras, AIS, etc.). This technology, housed on a vessel approximately 5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, full electric will monitor and manage river traffic using machine vision and machine learning algoritms. The robot boat will relay real-time information to an operations center where it can be manually controlled or switched to fully autonomous mode.

We propose a Smart Sidewalk Safety System that integrates advanced technologies and innovative strategies to keep sidewalks safe and clear for pedestrians. The system includes:

The proposed solution is the ambitious and systematic further development of municipal multi-functional transportation apps, with which a few – mainly European – cities (e.g., Berlin, Prague, a few Italian cities) have already started to experiment in the last years. However, so far, these existing rudimentary municipal app solutions strongly lack important functions (e.g., systematic information regarding traffic situation/risks, alternative transport routes) user-friendliness, availability/visibility as well as acceptance amongst citizens and companies as potential users. Moreover, the long-term financing of such rudimentary solutions is often not secured. Given this situation, we propose a development project, which involves – besides the…

Our solution addresses the challenge of accessibility for hearing-impaired and deaf passengers on public transport by delivering real-time transcriptions and sign language translations of audio announcements. It ensures a seamless experience for passengers and enhances inclusivity in public transport, which is critical in modern smart cities.

To address the issue of incomplete data collection and analysis on the use of public transportation, we propose the implementation of a smart passenger tracking system. The current system in Jūrmala and Tartu only collects data on where passengers board buses, but it does not provide data on the places at which passengers disembark. Due to this limitation, a data analysis method cannot be implemented, and as a result, public transportation routes cannot be effectively optimized. Our method is composed of three main steps: Data collection, Data storing and Data Analysis.

Avanti R&D, Inc. proposes the following innovative AI and IoT solutions to address the challenges of optimizing Jurmala’s public bus system. These technologies are designed to enable data-driven decision making while protecting passenger privacy and supporting and efficient, environmentally-conscious public transportation system.

We propose the development and deployment of a Smart Passenger Counting System utilizing advanced sensors and data analytics. The system will integrate with existing ticket validation infrastructure to capture comprehensive data on passenger counts, boarding and alighting points, and travel times. This system will leverage technologies such as computer vision, infrared sensors, and real-time data processing to provide accurate and actionable insights.

Our proposed solution is a comprehensive AI-driven smart parking management system that combines machine vision, AI algorithms, and data integration to provide real-time monitoring and control of parking spaces in Maribor.

We propose the Dynamic Parking Intelligence System, a comprehensive solution designed to revolutionize parking management in Maribor. This system will use a combination of smart sensors, real-time data analytics, and user-friendly interfaces to monitor and manage parking spaces efficiently.

eParkly is a women-led project that will produce a platform for providing 1) information on real-time availability of parking spaces in the city centre from all parking facilities (including the navigation to them) and other parking-related key info on a public dashboard, 2) collecting city-wide parking statistics for urban development. If needed, the platform also provides 3) pre-booking and 4) dynamic demand based pricing options – hence the workname Marketplace. The solution will be provided as PAAS (Platform as a Service) which the parking providers can utilise and engage with their users.

We propose the Citizen-Centric Urban Planning Platform, a digital solution designed to facilitate more effective and inclusive citizen participation in urban planning. The platform will incorporate the following features:

Our solution centers on the dynamic interactions between people and urban environments, analyzing how these connections enhance well-being. To accurately model well-being in urban settings, we require a framework that captures the complexity of both environmental and psychological factors without oversimplification. To achieve this, we employ a multi-stage nested Bayesian network, inspired by convolutional neural networks, to simulate and interlink these intricate interactions. This approach, named Convolutional Socio-Ecological Well-being Network, ensures a balance between complexity and predictive accuracy, enabling us to model well-being outcomes effectively.