EKI-Saxony research project strengthens the visibility of the HSZG in the field of Smart City and sustainable urban development.
As part of the EKI-Saxony project, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is increasingly presenting its research activities in the field of smart cities, sustainable urban development and digital infrastructures at national and international specialist events. The project is part of the research group SCO-TTi research group and is headed by Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Sophia Keil.
The aim of the project is to develop innovative digital solutions for energy-efficient and sustainable urban spaces and to actively promote the transfer of knowledge between science, business and society. The focus is on intelligent technologies for sustainable urban development, smart energy systems and digital approaches to maintaining urban greenery. At the same time, the project's activities support the Green Zittau initiative by making sustainable and digital future solutions for liveable cities and regions visible and developing them further.
There are also plans to transfer the technologies and research approaches developed in the project directly into teaching. To this end, a cross-faculty / trans-faculty real-world laboratory concept has already been developed with "SmartCampusLab", in which students from computer science, electrical engineering, economics and natural sciences work together on practical smart city, sustainability and AI projects. The focus is on real development tasks in the fields of sensor technology, IoT, data analysis, microservices, robotics and sustainable urban systems. By closely interlinking research, practice and project-oriented training, students are introduced to current future technologies at an early stage and actively involved in research and transfer projects.
For us, Smart City means not only digitalization, but also the development of concrete solutions for sustainable and liveable regions. It is particularly important not only to discuss research results scientifically, but also to develop them further in practice together with students, municipalities and partners and to integrate them directly into teaching.
”Sustainable urban development is particularly important for rural areas. It opens up the opportunity to combine technological innovations with regional structures in a targeted manner, thereby strengthening quality of life, services of general interest and future viability in equal measure.
Sustainable urban development is not just a question of large metropolitan areas. Rural areas such as Upper Lusatia in particular can and must play an active role in shaping this by testing innovative technologies at an early stage and adapting them to regional needs.
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An earlier article already reported on the project launch and research activities in the field of intelligent ICT systems. The project team has now been able to provide further important impetus at various specialist events.
Dr. Nikolay Belov has presented the HSZG's current research approaches and smart city solutions at several prestigious events in recent months. The simul⁺ meets futureSAX innovation forum "Smart Cities and Regions" on April 16, 2026 in Chemnitz marked the start. Practical concepts and innovative technologies for municipalities and regions were discussed there.
Dr. Belov then took part in the international iCCC 2026 from 5 to 7 May 2026 in Cottbus. As part of the conference, current developments and research approaches in the field of sustainable urban technologies were presented and discussed with international partners.
The EKI-Saxony project will also be represented at other events in the coming months. Contributions are planned at the Saxon Innovation Conference on June 17, 2026 in Dresden, at the 3B Festival on June 19, 2026 and at the international conference IEEE SmartNets 2026 from July 7 to 9, 2026 in Rome.
A special mention goes to the 3B-Festival (bits, bonding, bassline)Students of the HSZG are cordially invited to inform themselves and participate. The festival offers an excellent opportunity to get to know companies, build networks and gain insights into innovative professional fields and career paths.
By actively participating in specialist conferences, innovation forums and transfer events, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences strengthens its visibility in the field of sustainable smart city research and at the same time further expands its network with partners from science, business and society.
Text: Dr. Nikolay Belov
