Leuven MindGate members to transform Leuven into a 'smart city'

Healthcare, air quality and mobility; these are three domains where the city of Leuven will finance a number of testing grounds using subsidies acquired by the Flemish government.

A first experiment will start soon, carried out with technology from Option, a Leuven-based tech enterprise. Sensors that measure air quality and can spot free parking spaces will be placed on lamp posts. The data these sensors collect will be sent to services run by the city as well as the smartphones of individual users. The first sensors will be placed on the Grote Markt (main square), at the station and along the ring. After a positive evaluation, more sensors will be placed across the city.

Afterwards, the city expects to receive further propositions from companies to start up more testing grounds. These can focus on better healthcare, mobility, air quality, retail & trade or service to the civilians. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable environment suited for optimal living, studying, working and relaxing.