About
CitizenCity is a European-funded project that develops new digital solutions to help cities become more livable, sustainable, and inclusive. The project supports three real-life pilot initiatives in different European cities. Each pilot responds to local needs and priorities, while using shared European guidelines so that successful solutions can later be reused by other cities.
A key idea behind CitizenCity is the responsible sharing of data between cities, organisations, and citizens. By doing this in a transparent and secure way, cities can improve public services, support sustainability goals, and better involve residents in decision-making. CitizenCity also develops a common approach for involving stakeholders and for testing whether the results can be scaled up beyond the pilot cities.
The three pilot projects
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Oulu (Finland)
The Oulu pilot focuses on improving citizen participation. It creates a digital environment where residents can easily share their views and interact with city services. By combining voice-based technology with a digital model of the city, the project aims to improve public services, increase transparency, and encourage more sustainable behaviour. -
Eindhoven (The Netherlands)
In Eindhoven, the pilot supports the development of a Positive Energy District: a neighbourhood that produces more energy than it consumes. By bringing together information about energy use, quality of life, and social wellbeing, the project helps residents take the lead in making their homes more sustainable and energy-efficient. -
Álava (Spain)
The Álava pilot addresses mobility and road safety during extreme winter conditions. A digital platform supports better coordination between road authorities and citizens, helping to improve traffic safety and transport efficiency when weather conditions are challenging.
The role of universities
Universities play an important role in CitizenCity by contributing research expertise and supporting social impact. Fontys University of Applied Sciences and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are closely involved in the Eindhoven pilot.
Researchers and students explore how data can be shared safely and fairly, how trust can be built between different parties, and how transparency and accountability can be ensured. They test whether the solutions developed in the pilots are suitable for use in other cities and contexts. This work takes place not only in academic settings, but also in real urban environments.
In addition, the universities conduct research on governance, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations. This includes topics such as privacy protection, citizens’ rights, and responsible data use. By combining technical, legal, and societal perspectives, the academic partners help ensure that CitizenCity’s solutions are not only innovative, but also trustworthy and socially responsible.