SMART CITY KOSOVA
Over the past two decades, Kosovo has experienced one of the most rapid and dramatic urban transitions in the region—shaped by post-war reconstruction, population shifts, and unregulated growth that, while dynamic, has often occurred outside of coherent strategic planning. In the decades following the conflict, cities and towns across the country have experienced intense development—characterized by ad-hoc construction, unregulated expansion, and spatial patterns dictated more by capital flows and private investment than by public interest or long-term planning frameworks. This uncoordinated growth has led to serious spatial and socio-environmental consequences. Across the country, pressure on natural resources, open areas, and biodiversity has intensified. Green spaces have been reduced or fragmented, public services have struggled to keep pace with population demands, and technical infrastructure remains inadequate in many areas. Meanwhile, the proliferation of private vehicles has outpaced the development of road and transport infrastructure, leading to congestion, inefficiency, and unsafe mobility environments. Housing construction has boomed—yet paradoxically, around 40% of new residential units remain unoccupied. The aesthetic and architectural quality of much of this development is often lacking, with limited attention given to urban identity, inclusivity, or access to public infrastructure. Simultaneously, new gated communities and upscale neighborhoods have emerged, deepening spatial inequality and transforming urban patterns in favor of high-income groups. Alongside these developments, industrial and trade zones have expanded rapidly, often without sufficient environmental or infrastructural foresight. In response to this urban complexity, municipalities across Kosovo have begun to draft spatial development plans, zoning maps, and detailed regulatory frameworks. While these efforts represent meaningful steps forward, they have generally remained too weak in enforcement, fragmented in vision, and under-resourced to effectively address the urban challenges at hand.
Against this backdrop, the National Smart City Initiative for Kosovo emerges not just as a policy innovation, but as an urgent and strategic response to a fragmented and unsustainable urban trajectory. It represents a fundamental shift—from reactive urban management to proactive, data-driven, and citizen-centered transformation. By integrating digital technologies, environmental stewardship, inclusive governance, and spatial intelligence, the Smart City approach aims to reimagine the urban future of Kosovo—making cities not only more efficient, but also more livable, inclusive, and resilient. This initiative calls for rethinking how we plan, build, and manage our urban environments—from the street level to the regional scale. It aspires to empower municipalities, engage communities, and connect sectors in building cities that are smart not only in technology, but in equity, design, mobility, sustainability, and quality of life. It recognizes that the future of Kosovo lies in creating cities that work for everyone—where opportunity, innovation, and well-being are not privileges, but shared public goods. The journey toward smarter cities is not a linear one—it requires institutional capacity, courageous leadership, adaptive planning, and above all, a shared vision for a better urban future. With this foreword, we invite stakeholders across Kosovo—public, private, academic, and civic—to participate in this collective transformation and to contribute to shaping cities that reflect the aspirations of a new generation.
Thus; Smart City Kosova is a landmark national initiative bringing together academicians and experts from five universities—UBT (Kosovo), TU Wien, ETH Zurich, HafenCity University, and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University—along with 20+ experts from academia and industry. Together, they aim to craft Kosovo’s National Strategy for Smart and Sustainable Urban Development and implement tailored smart city strategies in seven key municipalities: Prishtina, Prizren, Ferizaj, Peja, Gjilan, Vushtrri, and Lipjan.
Covering 30% of Kosovo’s territory and 45% of its population, the project supports local needs while promoting shared national goals. It integrates open data, AI, IoT, and digital tools to enhance governance, citizen engagement, and multisectoral collaboration for inclusive, tech-driven urban transformation.
10 PILLARS OF THE PROSPECT NATION-WIDE STRATEGY
The 10 pillars of the initiative include smart governance, digital infrastructure and digitalized public services; smart economy, circular innovation and Industry 4.0; smart energy, utilities and green transition; climate resilience, nature-based solutions and green urban design; sustainable mobility and smart transport systems; smart housing, livability and inclusive urban development; smart education, digital skills and youth empowerment; e-health, well-being and social care; smart culture, tourism and heritage innovation; and institutional capacity, financing and smart city governance with public participation.
TANGIBLE TARGETS
The Strategy has set tangible targets like 70% digitization of municipal services and full e-governance coverage by 2027, alongside a national geo-spatial data system and public Wi-Fi in major urban spaces by 2028. It aims for complete IoT sensor coverage for air and waste management and digital transformation of archives and libraries by 2030. Economically, it seeks to launch seven circular innovation hubs, three industrial labs, and integrate Industry 4.0 in vocational education. By 2030, 30% of public buildings will run on renewables, urban areas will see a 20% increase in green space, and smart waste and water systems will be in place. Urban mobility will be enhanced through 100 km of bike lanes, a national mobility app, and re-designed SUMP plans. Smart housing pilots will offer affordable, high-quality living, while smart classrooms and digital skills training will empower youth. Health services will expand through a national e-health portal, and cultural heritage will be promoted via digital mapping and tourism apps. Institutional capacity will grow through a national investment fund and training programs for local governments.
