SMARTMED – Did you know? #3: How city data improves mobility, energy use and public services

The third post in SMARTMED’s “Did you know?” campaign explores how city data can improve traffic planning, energy use and public services.

Publication Date
01/10/2026
Reading Time
2 minutes

SMARTMED city data: Did you know? #3

The SMARTMED city data post is the third edition of our “Did you know?” campaign. It explores how cities can turn everyday information into better decisions.

Cities generate large amounts of data every day. Traffic, energy use, air quality and public services all provide useful information. However, collecting data is only the first step. Its real value comes from using it to improve daily life.

How city data supports better decisions

Data helps city teams understand what happens across their communities. For example, traffic information can show where delays occur most often. As a result, teams can plan changes to roads, public transport or walking routes.

Similarly, energy data can reveal where public buildings use more electricity than expected. City teams can then investigate the causes and identify ways to reduce waste.

Environmental sensors also help cities track air quality and other local conditions. Together, these sources can help municipalities:

  • Identify problems before they become critical.
  • Improve traffic and mobility planning.
  • Reduce unnecessary energy use.
  • Monitor environmental conditions in real time.
  • Direct public resources where people need them most.

Moreover, cities can compare information over time. This helps teams check whether their actions work and adjust their plans when needed.

Turning information into practical action

Data alone does not make a city smart. City teams need clear goals and the skills to interpret information.

For instance, a dashboard may highlight a busy road. However, local knowledge and public feedback help explain the problem. Combining these insights can lead to more useful decisions.

Cities also need accurate and up-to-date information. Otherwise, they may base their plans on an incomplete picture.

To explore how urban information supports planning, visit the European Commission’s Urban Data Platform.

SMARTMED city data: Working together across the Mediterranean

Through SMARTMED, partners from Greece, Jordan and Tunisia work together to strengthen data-driven governance. Their shared aim is to support more sustainable, efficient and citizen-centred Mediterranean cities.

The “Did you know?” campaign explains these ideas through everyday examples. Our previous post explored smart waste management. This edition shows how better information can support decisions across several city services.

Explore our previous post on smart waste management for another practical example. Then, follow SMARTMED on social media for the next edition.

Better data. Better decisions. Better cities.

Gallery

  • SMARTMED city data – Did you know? #3 campaign graphic

Last Update

01/10/2026