On October 2, Karol Hrudkay from the University of Žilina took center stage at the international conference “Transport Infrastructure in Cities – Smart Solutions,” presenting the innovative EnCLOD project to a diverse audience of urban planning and governance experts.
The event, held on October 2–3, 2024, brought together representatives from cities, universities, ministries, and the private sector, all united by a shared goal of advancing sustainable and intelligent urban infrastructure solutions.
Hrudkay’s presentation, titled “Deployment of Sensor Networks in the EnCLOD Project,” highlighted the important role of cutting-edge technology in shaping smarter, more efficient cities. At the heart of the EnCLOD project lies the mission to transform the governance capacities of five Central European regions—Vicenza (Italy), Olomouc (Czech Republic), Debrecen (Hungary), Žilina (Slovakia), and Nova Gorica (Slovenia). Through innovative applications of Open Data and the Internet of Things (IoT), the project fosters multi-level governance, public-private cooperation, and civic engagement.
The conference served as the perfect platform to demonstrate EnCLOD’s ambitious goals. Hrudkay delved into how the deployment of sensor networks—one of the project’s key strategies—enables real-time data collection and analysis to support smarter decision-making in local governance. By promoting the re-use of open data, EnCLOD is not just solving existing urban challenges but also sparking innovative solutions that respond to specific regional needs.
The two-day conference was a testament to the growing interest in smart urban solutions. Over the course of the event, participants included representatives from:
-
24 cities
-
5 universities
-
3 ministries
-
2 research institutes
-
3 associations
-
5 service providers to local governments
-
4 self-governing regions
-
1 national institute
-
22 companies (mostly small and medium enterprises)
This wide-ranging participation underscores the collective commitment to exploring intelligent solutions for urban transport and governance.
As a key partner in the EnCLOD project, the University of Žilina plays a crucial role in driving innovation. Hrudkay’s presentation not only showcased the university’s contribution but also highlighted the broader impact of collaborative efforts in advancing governance and territorial administration through technology.