Imagine in the city where you live, the pedestrian crossing sees the pedestrians, the traffic light counts the traffic and flashes accordingly, and drivers are informed via the municipality’s application on their mobile phones about where there is a free parking spot. Algorithms oversee the green spaces and their watering, any leaks in the water supply system, and the lighting in schools and municipal buildings. This future, infused with plenty of digital technology, may seem distant or utopian, but it is becoming a reality in hundreds of municipalities across every corner of the country.

The above, along with a series of other actions, such as raising firewalls for protection against cyberattacks, smart applications, and electronic management systems that transform larger and smaller cities into smart cities, are just some of the features of the digital transformation of municipalities that is already underway, with projects starting or being completed primarily in the next three to four years. The flagship action of the Ministry of Digital Governance, “Digital Transformation of Local Government Authorities (LGAs),” provides all the municipalities of the country with innovative applications and advanced technological tools that improve the management and functionality of the urban environment in Greek cities.

Crowding

The action began in early 2023 with the issuance of a call by the “Digital Transformation 2021–2027” Program, to which 312 municipalities of the country responded. Its available budget is €235,285,163.00 and is co-funded by the European Union with resources from the European Regional Development Fund. So far, 107 municipalities have been included, with the budget amounting to more than €85 million. As the ministers of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, and Interior, Theodoros Livanios, collaborate to accelerate the program, it practically shows results, as in the coming period, another 33 municipalities will be included, with a budget of €36 million. The program provides for the implementation of 10 projects per municipality on average, chosen among 38 proposed by the municipalities themselves based on local needs. From the total proposals submitted by the 312 municipalities, it appears that most request integrated protection infrastructure against cyberattacks (Network Firewall, Endpoint Security, etc.) and the provision of a teleworking system. As the above was chosen by 165 municipalities, 149 others chose to implement the central unified platform for managing and collecting data of digital transformation actions of LGAs, while 145 chose the organization of a movement office and the management of the municipal vehicle fleet. The fourth most popular choice is the smart city/municipality guide with a registry of local businesses, chosen by 144 municipalities, and fifth is the electronic payment management system, chosen by 135 of them.

However, the actions that are chosen and funded are generally based on seven pillars, which in turn follow the marketplace philosophy, which is a good practice of the European Commission and the methodology developed in the European marketplace, the “Integrated Explore-Shape-Deal Matchmaking Process,” adapted to Greek conditions.

The seven pillars where the actions are included concern sustainable mobility, energy saving, the reduction of municipal fees and the energy footprint of municipal buildings, the improvement of citizen and business service, quality of life, strengthening local democracy, consultation and transparency, protection from cyberattacks and ensuring operational continuity, and strengthening digital infrastructures.

The Transformation of Cities

As municipalities have to choose 10 out of the 38 actions, most aim for projects that are directed at making urban mobility smarter and more sustainable in their cities to facilitate their citizens. Actions such as smart pedestrian crossings and wheelchair-friendly ones, smart controlled parking systems, and the corresponding accessibility assurance system for people with mobility issues have been included in the proposals of more than half of the municipalities, while particular emphasis is given to ensuring quality and safety and protection from cyberattacks, with the corresponding action having been chosen by 165 municipalities. The evaluation process has progressed for two-thirds of the total submitted proposals – projects. But what are these?

The smart pedestrian crossing systems consist of a network of sensors-smart communication cameras with traffic lights, designed to ensure the safe crossing of pedestrians in the intervention area. Essentially, what the smart crossing does is provide automatic recognition of the presence of pedestrians and activate automatic light signaling of the crossing where possible or “cooperate” with the traffic lights. Thus, the crossing with its smart systems reads when there is actual intention of pedestrian crossing and warns both them and the drivers.

The smart system is wheelchair-friendly and aims to facilitate their movements and access to sidewalks-ramps and buildings that have the necessary installations and infrastructure, with the aim of facilitating their movement. The system will gather all the information to compile an electronic city guide with safe routes for approaching an accessible point for wheelchair users. Essentially, people with mobility issues will know before starting their movement how to proceed to reach their destination as quickly and easily as possible.

Other popular actions among municipalities mainly focus on energy saving and reducing the energy footprint of municipal buildings using environmentally friendly tools. These include smart energy management systems for municipal and school buildings and smart lighting systems within municipal buildings. These offer the possibility of remote monitoring of consumption, as well as remote control of building automations.

The smart energy management system for municipal and school buildings involves the installation and cooperation—through algorithms—of lighting, water, temperature, and humidity sensors and digital energy meters, with smart devices for the effective monitoring and analysis of the energy performance of the facility through applications. Thus, effective monitoring and reduction of energy consumption are achieved. By controlling the lighting, unnecessary artificial lighting is reduced through motion sensors, while water sensors contribute to water saving.

Many municipalities also prefer creating a smart city guide, a central information and communication point for local businesses, where they record and present the products and services offered by each business. The aim of this action is the successful promotion and showcasing of the local network, modern digital promotion and communication of local shops, as well as practical interaction and information with the interested audience.

Other actions include smart garbage bins that transmit their fill level to the municipal center and issue timely alerts when they are full, smart warning and risk management systems (for floods, fires, earthquakes, etc.), smart air and water quality measurement systems within the municipality, a platform for managing daycare centers and informing parents with a smart application, the interconnection of lamps with a central computational management center, smart public transport stops, traffic information systems, etc.

Impressive is also the smart controlled parking system. This will record in real-time the status of all parking spaces (occupied or free) and inform either drivers about available spaces or municipal police officers about vehicles parked illegally in permanent resident spaces or in spaces preventing parking. The system will collect, process, visualize, and share in real-time the data received from parking sensors and make it available through an app to drivers, who will not need to circle for hours searching for a parking spot but will know where to head to park.

Also notable is the system for recording and monitoring traffic data. Sensors are installed in selected points of each municipality. With the data collected throughout the day, vehicle crossing times will be calculated using algorithms, and the data will be sent in real-time to the traffic data management software. The system can dynamically reassess traffic conditions, utilizing new information such as incident reports from users, and inform citizens via signs, applications, and the municipality’s website.

“Citizens Deserve It”

“The creation of green, friendly, and accessible cities is our main goal. In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Minister Theodoros Livanios, we provide municipalities with the necessary technological and financial tools to enhance the smart character of cities. Already, 107 municipalities have joined the ‘Digital Transformation 2021–2027’ program for smart cities, with projects promoting sustainable mobility, energy savings, citizen participation, protection from cyberattacks, and upgrading digital infrastructure. At the same time, through the Recovery Fund, a corresponding program is progressing for the 17 largest cities in the country. Technology creates opportunities to modernize cities and improve the everyday lives of citizens, and we are ensuring that none of these opportunities are missed. Citizens deserve to live in cities that meet their needs and solve their problems.”