A City That Can Predict Its Future

How IoT, Satellites and AI Are Turning Cities into Living Digital Twins

What if a city could predict air pollution before it happens? What if we could simulate the impact of traffic changes, urban vegetation, or weather conditions before making decisions?

This talk explores how IoT sensor networks, satellite observations, geospatial data, 3D urban models, and Artificial Intelligence can be combined to create Living Digital Twins.

Using Cluj-Napoca as a real-world case study, we will explore the journey from environmental monitoring to predictive urban intelligence, building on initiatives such as ClujCitySense and Strop de Aer.

Through a practical demonstration, we will explore three perspectives: LIVE, FUTURE, and WHAT-IF — understanding current urban conditions, predicting air quality, and evaluating potential interventions.

The goal is to move beyond visualizing cities and start building systems that help us understand, anticipate, and improve urban environments.