Pilot City
Khmelnytskyi
Use Case
Adaptive management in the field of environmental, social and climate governance
Urban Development Goals
Khmelnytskyi, a beautiful and green regional center of Ukraine, spans both sides of the Southern Buh River. As a key player in Podillia's development, the city boasts new residential areas and modern infrastructure. In 2015, the City Council joined the European Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, earning awards for promoting European integration and values. Khmelnytskyi aims to lead in welfare, comfort, and economic development through industry growth, investment, innovation, small business support, and youth involvement. The city focuses on energy-efficient infrastructure and environmental improvement, leveraging various financial sources to enhance quality of life.
Strategic objectives include:
A. Entrepreneurial city: business-government trust, ease of business, investor opportunities, economic growth points, export potential
B. Comfortable and safe city: effective city management, advanced urban planning, modern transport infrastructure, quality services, youth culture, arts, and sports
C. Responsible and accountable city: energy efficiency and independence, environmental health, social responsibility and innovation.
Climate Neutrality Pilot Use Case
Challenge
The challenge considered in this case is the preparation of effective urban solutions in the field of building climate neutrality and energy. In addition, the complex terrain and hard-to-reach areas of Khmelnytskyi affected the formation of the city’s infrastructure and traffic flows, which creates difficulties for establishing sustainable urban mobility and reducing emissions.
Goal
Ensuring environmental, social and climate management (in particular, in the field of transport and energy) in order to increase the level of sustainability of cities
General Description of the Pilot Use Case
The project, integrating progressive knowledge, information technologies, and existing initiatives, aims to demonstrate ways of increasing the capacity to provide local authorities with the necessary tools to implement an effective policy of achieving climate neutrality. Modelling the impacts and forecasting the consequences of ensuring environmental and energy security requires a series of activities for interested parties in order to share knowledge on reducing CO2 emissions, promoting sustainable urban mobility and progressing efficient urban transport systems.
Measures and Initiatives Included
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Conduct comprehensive research on existing traffic management systems.
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Develop a terrain-sensitive traffic management system leveraging modern smart technologies and artificial intelligence.
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Creation of a centre to support local politicians in the field of climate neutrality and energy development.
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Dissemination and use of the project results for long-term impact, in particular the development of «green skills», increasing environmental awareness and education of the population, especially young people.
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Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between stakeholders.
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Share project findings, best practices, and innovations through publications, reports, websites, and webinars.
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Offer workshops and training sessions on effective traffic management and its link to emissions reduction.
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Organization of conferences and workshops on the implementation of the «Green City» program and the development of «green skills», increasing environmental awareness and education of the population.
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Providing reasonable recommendations for building an effective policy in the field of climate neutrality, energy and environmental security (in particular, in the field of transport) at the local, regional and national levels.
Technologies and Innovations Involved in the Pilot Use Case
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Adaptive Traffic Management System: A system that dynamically adjusts traffic flows based on real-time data and terrain conditions to optimize emissions reduction.
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Artificial Intelligence: AI algorithms to analyze traffic patterns and predict optimal traffic management strategies.
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Smart Technologies: Integration of smart sensors devices to monitor and manage traffic conditions effectively.
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Terrain-Informed Analysis: Use of geographical and terrain data to tailor traffic management solutions to specific urban landscapes.
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Recommendations on the implementation of effective management and the preparation of effective urban solutions in the field of climate neutrality, energy and environmental security (in particular, in the field of transport).
Main Partners and Stakeholders
City planners and municipal governments in the participating cities
Universities and research centers focused on urban mobility and sustainability
Regional and national government bodies responsible for transportation and environmental policies
Companies and organizations specializing in smart technologies and traffic management systems
Residents and community groups engaged in sustainable urban initiatives
Long-term Results
Climate Neutrality: Significant reduction in urban emissions contributing to the broader goal of climate neutrality.
Sustainable Urban Mobility: Establishment of effective and sustainable traffic management practices in urban areas.
Policy Influence: Development of evidence-based policies that promote sustainable transportation.
Community Engagement: Increased environmental awareness and responsibility among local communities.
Model for Replication: Creation of a scalable model that can be adopted by other cities in Ukraine and across the EU to achieve similar sustainability goals.
Pilot Use Case Contribution to Climate Neutrality
The case contributes to climate neutrality by providing a practical solution to reduce urban traffic emissions, aligning with the objectives of the European Green Deal. It demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating innovative technologies into urban mobility management, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Through extensive knowledge sharing and capacity-building efforts, the project equips cities with the tools and insights needed to make substantial progress towards climate neutrality.
The project will strengthen Local Communities and Foster Environmental Awareness.
By involving residents in the project and demonstrating the positive impact of emissions reduction and improved environmental conditions, it can cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens. This engagement can lead to long-term support for sustainable initiatives, creating a more responsible and environmentally conscious society.
The project not only aligns with EU policies and international commitments but also has the potential to inspire cities across Ukraine and promote community involvement in the transition to climate neutrality. The project will serve as a showcase of modern smart technologies based on artificial intelligence for advancing climate neutrality.