Smart City Platform of UBT serves as a national knowledge and innovation hub that helps municipalities, public institutions, and private actors transition from fragmented urban management to data-driven, citizen-centered, and sustainable development practices.
The Smart City Platform of UBT serves as a national knowledge and innovation hub that enables municipalities, public institutions, and private actors to transition from fragmented urban management to data-driven, citizen-centered, and sustainable practices. It envisions Kosovo’s cities as inclusive, resilient, and intelligent systems, achieved through the integration of research, innovation, and education. By utilizing the expertise of universities and research centers, the Platform provides institutions with the frameworks, tools, and knowledge needed to plan smarter with data-driven insights, design better with participatory methods, and manage sustainably through future-oriented governance models. In this way, our research-based platform becomes the bridge between global best practices and local implementation, ensuring that urban transformation is both scientifically grounded and socially inclusive.
Core Components of the Platform
1. Urban Simulation & Digital Twins
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Urban Simulation Center: Assists municipalities in testing and evaluating spatial development scenarios before implementation.
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Traffic Simulation Center: Supports transport authorities with real-time and predictive mobility solutions.
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Twin City Models: Provide decision-makers with digital replicas of cities for scenario planning, risk management, and long-term strategy building.
2. AI, Digital Infrastructure & Open Data
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AI-powered decision tools: Enable planners and policymakers to optimize land use, housing, and mobility systems.
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Augmented & Virtual Reality (AVR) platforms: Help institutions engage citizens through interactive design processes.
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IoT integration: Monitors air quality, waste, and energy systems, providing real-time feedback loops for governance.
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Geo-Spatial Data System: Centralized geo-spatial system providing open access to reliable data.
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Open Data Platforms: Enable collaboration across municipalities, researchers, and civic groups.
4. Smart Governance & Sectoral Integration
- The Platform promotes e-governance frameworks through digital participation platforms that create co-creation spaces where communities can actively shape urban futures. It also promotes Sectorial Integration that advances a broad range of sectors, including Smart Economy & Industry 4.0 – Establishing circular hubs, industrial labs, and skill-training platforms; Smart Energy & Utilities – Integrating renewable energy in public buildings and IoT-enabled resource management; Smart Mobility; Smart and Affordable Housing; Smart Education – Expanding digital classrooms and innovation ecosystems for youth; Smart Health & Social Care – Advancing e-health portals and digital care models; Smart Culture & Tourism – Digitizing heritage assets and promoting tourism innovation etc.
Currently, the platform is developing the project of “Smart City Kosova”, an inclusive and international project aiming to design and communicate smart and sustainable development strategies for 6 Kosovo cities. Project link: https://cus.ubt-uni.net/project/smart-city-kosova/