IDHUS Institute – Smart Cities and Urban Development | Analyzing the development and transformation of cities around the world

The IDHUS Institute is a think tank specialized in the study and application of artificial intelligence for smart and sustainable urban development. We explore how data, technology, and AI-driven systems can enhance the functionality, efficiency, and inclusivity of contemporary cities. By combining multidisciplinary research, strategic foresight, and technological innovation, the IDHUS analyzes how urban environments evolve, adapt, and transform in response to the complex challenges of the 21st century. Our mission is to understand and shape the future of cities as intelligent ecosystems that foster human, social, economic, and environmental progress

Urban Demographics and Intelligent Mobility

We study population dynamics, migration, and mobility patterns using AI-driven data analysis to support inclusive planning and efficient urban management.

Artificial Intelligence and Smart Urban Systems

We study how to apply AI and digital technologies to optimize city operations, enhance public services, and improve citizens’ quality of life in connected, data-driven environments

Ecological Transition and Climate-Tech Resilience

We analyse how sustainable, low-carbon cities can through intelligent systems enable predictive environmental monitoring and climate adaptation strategies.

Social and Spatial Equity in the Digital Age

We study data-informed strategies to bridge social, gender, and spatial divides, ensuring equal access to urban opportunities in smart city ecosystems

Urban Economies and Future Work

We explore how AI and automation transform urban economies and labor markets, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable job creation

Urban Governance and Participatory Intelligence

We analyse models of ethical, transparent, and data-assisted governance that empower citizen participation and collaborative urban decision-making

Latest articles and publications

18 Nov 2025

Parma Towards Climate Neutrality: How Citizen Engagement and Artificial Intelligence Are Shaping the Italian City

City Green Light has been awarded the prestigious SMAU Innovation Award 2025 for its groundbreaking citizen engagement initiative developed in col...

17 Nov 2025

AI and the Future of Smart Cities: Building Conscious, Caring Urban Worlds

In the rapidly evolving landscape of urban development, the concept of the "Smart City" is no longer a distant ideal, but an emerging reality shaped by the ...

16 Nov 2025

Data, light and sustainability: intelligent greenhouses, artificial intelligence and the future of smart cities

In Comiso, in the province of Ragusa, a new model of intelligent photovoltaic greenhouse, christened Archimede, represents a turning point not only for prot...

16 Nov 2025

When Wealth Determines Access to Urban Nature: Environmental Inequality in the Age of Smart Cities and Artificial Intelligence

Although the rapid expansion of urban areas is one of the most significant threats to global biodiversity, the presence of nature within cities re...

14 Nov 2025

Dubai as a Vanguard of Technological Civilization: Artificial Intelligence, Smart Urbanism, and the Rise of a Crypto-Based Economy

In the contemporary global landscape, few places embody the spirit of innovation and technological audacity as profoundly as Dubai. Once a modest ...

13 Nov 2025

The Future of Rural Areas: Generational Renewal, Artificial Intelligence Integration, and the Digital Transformation of Agriculture

The relationship between humanity and rural environments is as ancient as civilization itself. From the dawn of sedentary life through agriculture...

Consulting services

Empowering Cities Through Artificial Intelligence

At the IDHUS Institute, we support companies, organisations, municipalities and local governments in leveraging artificial intelligence to design smarter, more sustainable, and people-centered cities. Our consulting services combine strategic vision, technological expertise, and ethical insight to help urban administrations improve decision-making, optimize public services, and accelerate digital transformation.

Projects

Turning Knowledge into Urban Intelligence

The IDHUS Institute develops and participates in research and innovation projects focused on applying artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to real urban challenges. Our goal is to transform data and knowledge into practical solutions that enhance sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life in cities.

Working alongside universities, public administrations, and technology partners, we co-create initiatives that address key areas such as smart mobility, energy management, climate resilience, and digital governance. Each project is designed to integrate technology with social and environmental responsibility.

Smart Cities Cohesive Model (SCCM)

The IDHUS Institute is developing the Cohesive Smart City Model (SCCM), a framework for transforming our urban environments into Smart Cities using the most disruptive technologies and integration and development mechanisms. The aim is to enable our cities to provide...

Developing a City Systems Architecture Framework to facilitate the digital transformation of urban areas towards Smart Cities

Research conducted as part of a project by the Faculty of Computing and Digital Technology at Birmingham City University between November 2021 and February 2022.The objective of this research is to develop a system architecture framework for urban environments that...

Deploying the power of AI to advance the development of Smart Cities worldwide