University in EU collaboration to reduce urban pollution

The University of Gävle is participating in a new and comprehensive European research project that will help cities reduce air and noise pollution and better understand their impact on human health. The project involves a total of 19 partners from eight countries. Gävle is one of five pilot cities where the technology will be tested in reality.

"This project gives us completely new opportunities to understand how pollution affects us in everyday life and to support decision-makers with scientifically based recommendations", says Jose Chilo, associate professor of electrical engineering at the University of Gävle and project manager for HARMONIE in Gävle.

The project will develop advanced digital tools, so-called digital twins, that make it possible to model both urban environments and human physiology. Two key tools are in focus: a city-wide, citizen-centred digital twin and a "Lung Digital Twin" that simulates how inhaled particles move and affect the airways.

"By combining data on air and noise pollution with information on citizens' movement patterns and health, we can simulate the effect of different measures before they are introduced", says Jose Chilo.

Contributing with cutting-edge expertise

In Gävle, the researchers will, among other things, collect data from sensors in the urban environment, follow how people move in different areas and measure exposure to harmful particles. There is a particular focus on vulnerable groups in society.

The project is funded by the EU's Horizon Europe program within the initiative "Zero-Pollution Cities", which in turn is part of the goal of creating climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.

"We are proud that the University of Gävle contributes with cutting-edge expertise in environmental measurement and digital technology in such an important and large international project", says Jose Chilo.

"Health should be the priority"

The project is led by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.

"Health should be a priority in all urban planning and not left exclusively to healthcare. Air pollution that harms human health also contributes to climate change in most cases. Putting health at the center of urban decisions drives actions that reduce pollution, improve well-being and contribute to more resilient, equitable and sustainable cities", said Beatriz Eguzkitza, project leader and researcher at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.