About SmartUrbanity
A research and innovation project This project has been funded by MIMIT, NKFIH, BMFTR, TUBİTAK, Innosuisse, and ANR, under the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, which has been co-funded by the European Commission.
SmartUrbanity is a groundbreaking research and innovation project. This project has been funded by MIMIT, NKFIH, BMFTR, TUBİTAK, Innosuisse, and ANR, under the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, which has been co-funded by the European Commission (Driving Urban Transitions). Launched in 2025, this ambitious initiative pioneers digital and participatory tools to support the transition toward 15-minute cities across Europe, addressing the urgent need for sustainable urban development in an era of rapid urbanization and climate change. SmartUrbanity promotes active travel, shared mobility, and integrated public transport systems, reducing car dependency and emissions while ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
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 3-year project (2025-2027) with a total budget of €2.99 million, bringing together 16 leading research institutions, technology companies, policy makers, 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
- 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 plans to deliver clear advancements in accessibility, citizen involvement, and policy outcomes within its pilot cities, providing a practical framework that others can build upon in shaping sustainable urban futures.
Key Research Themes
Our research spans multiple interconnected domains of urban science and technology
Gamification Strategies
Advanced Gamification Strategies designed to boost citizen participation by making the engagement process more appealing and interactive.
Citizen Engagement Innovation
Novel approaches to participatory urban planning, including Innovation strategies, digital participation platforms, and methods for inclusive community involvement in city development.
Spatial Accessibility Analysis
Cutting-edge methodologies for measuring and visualizing urban accessibility, including multi-modal transport analysis, service coverage optimization, and equity assessment frameworks.
Policy Analytics & Evaluation
Evidence-based policy analysis, impact assessment methodologies, and evaluation frameworks for measuring the effectiveness of urban interventions and policy implementations.
Sustainable Urban Development
Research on environmental sustainability, carbon footprint reduction, and climate adaptation strategies within the context of 15-minute city transformations and urban resilience.
Data Ethics & Privacy
Critical research on data governance, privacy protection in smart cities, algorithmic fairness, and ethical frameworks for responsible urban data collection and usage.