Our Mission

We aim to revolutionize urban planning by making cities more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable through the use of smart data, citizen engagement platforms, and policy support tools. Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with community-driven insights to create urban environments that serve all citizens within a 15-minute radius of their homes.

Project Duration & Funding

SmartUrbanity is a 4-year project (2023-2027) with a total budget of €8.5 million, bringing together 15 leading research institutions, technology companies, and municipal authorities from across Europe to deliver innovative solutions for urban transformation.

The 15-Minute City Vision

The 15-minute city concept envisions urban areas where residents can access most of their daily needs—work, education, healthcare, shopping, recreation—within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. This model promotes:

• Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution
• Enhanced quality of life and community cohesion
• Improved public health through active mobility
• Economic vitality in local neighborhoods
• Greater urban resilience and adaptability

Research Methodology

Our interdisciplinary approach combines urban planning, computer science, social psychology, and public policy research. We employ co-creation methodologies, ensuring that local communities are integral partners in developing and testing our digital tools.

Expected Impact

By 2027, SmartUrbanity aims to demonstrate measurable improvements in urban accessibility, citizen engagement levels, and policy effectiveness across all pilot cities, creating a replicable model for European cities transitioning to sustainable urban futures.

Key Research Areas