Insights from the Bologna smart city: A recap of our January webinar
Understanding how Bologna is shaping the future of urban decision-making with data
On the 23 January, the data.europa academy hosted the webinar ‘Smart cities and digital twin technology: the case of Bologna’, exploring how cities can use data, models, and AI to support better policy decisions. Joined by speakers Stefania Paolazzi from the Comune di Bologna and Marco Pistore from the Fondazione Bruno Kessler, the session explored how Bologna is developing next-generation civic infrastructure to make public governance more transparent, efficient, and collaborative.
The webinar started by introducing Bologna’s digital twin: a dynamic digital model of the city which integrates real-time data, advanced simulations, and forecasting tools. The digital twin was described as a driver of innovation and digital transformation, showcasing use cases such as urban planning, climate neutrality strategies, and improved public service delivery. Through real-time data, simulation models and analytical tools, Bologna aims to anticipate urban needs and design solutions collaboratively with local stakeholders.
Participants then gained insight into the key technical and governance aspects of Bologna’s digital twin, including its data and AI platform, data sources, and data governance strategy. The presenters highlighted the city’s co-design methodology, which brings together public authorities, research institutions, and communities to shape functionalities and ensure that the digital twin remains inclusive, ethical, and socially beneficial. The webinar wrapped up with a Q&A session with the speakers to answer any final questions from the participants.
Did you miss the webinar? You can now watch the full recording and access the slides on the European Data Portal. You can also join the conversation on our collaboration channel to share your ideas and insights on smart cities. Keep an eye out, as we have more webinars coming soon!
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