Cleopa hosts eUMaP online Workshop on Advancing Data Spaces, GIS Platforms, and Sustainable Resource Management
February 5, 2025Cleopa GmbH (CLEO), the lead beneficiary of WP2 within the eUMaP project, successfully hosted the 7th eUMaP workshop on January 14th, 2025. The workshop brought together experts from various fields to discuss advancements in data spaces, GIS platforms, and sustainable resource management. This collaborative event featured insightful presentations and discussions that highlighted cutting-edge initiatives and innovative approaches for leveraging data-driven solutions in urban planning, crisis management, and sustainability.
Figure 1. Invited speakers and Cleopa organizing team (Laura Martínez, Christiana Panteli, Pauliina Harrivaara, Patrik Břečka, Olaf Gerd Gemein, Mihaela Dragan and Giuseppe Galeota)
Session 1: Enabling Scalable, Secure, and Interoperable solutions
• Olaf Gerd Gemein – Impact Architect (Green Earth X & Impact Funding Europe)
Olaf Gerd Gemein, Impact Architect at Green Earth X and Impact Funding Europe, opened the workshop with a deep dive into Gaia-X principles, secure data exchanges, and the integration of GIS and digital twins for sustainable resource management. He emphasized the role of interoperability frameworks, including Data Spaces and Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs), in fostering collaboration across cities and organizations. These frameworks are crucial for real-time data integration, resilience planning, and compliance with EU data protection regulations. His presentation outlined key methodologies for platform interoperability, stressing the importance of standardized data sharing across European smart city initiatives.
Olaf also discussed several case studies, including practical applications in eUMaP pilots across Rome, Thessaloniki, Kaunas and Nicosia. He highlighted the need for scalable solutions that integrate real-time data from various sources, including IoT devices and satellite imagery, to create actionable insights for policymakers.
Session 2: CAMAN and SAMO platforms and their benefits for use in crisis situations
• Ing. Patrik Břečka, Ph.D. – Traffic engineer and researcher (Asseco)
Patrik Břečka from Asseco (Slovakia) presented two AI-powered platforms, CAMAN and SAMO, designed to optimize urban resource management. CAMAN utilizes AI-driven video analysis to monitor city infrastructure, objects, and events, as well as waste collection, detecting anomalies such as illegal dumping and damaged public assets in real time. SAMO, on the other hand, is a predictive analysis platform that enables municipalities to make data-driven decisions about waste collection schedules, asset management, and emergency response coordination.
Patrik demonstrated real-world applications of these technologies, including ongoing implementations in Bratislava, where the system is being used to track waste collection efficiency and reduce operational costs. He also showcased how these tools could be leveraged during crisis situations, such as natural disasters or public health emergencies, to ensure the efficient allocation of resources
Session 3: Comprehensive waste streams collection and management methodology document
• Dr. Mihaela Drăgan & Dr. Simion Drăgan – Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca (Professors)
Dr. Mihaela Dragan from Babeș-Bolyai University shared insights on sustainable waste management methodologies developed during her research secondment at Frederick University. Her presentation focused on the integration of AI, GIS, and data acquisition technologies to enhance waste collection, sorting, and recycling efficiency, ultimately promoting a more circular economy.
Mr. Dragan outlined key challenges in waste management, particularly in densely populated urban areas, and presented potential solutions based on real-time monitoring and advanced sorting technologies. She highlighted the Waste Management Hierarchy framework, explaining how digitalization and smart technologies can facilitate compliance with EU regulations while optimizing resource recovery.
She also showcased her research findings on waste stream categorization, providing data-driven recommendations on the most effective collection methods for different waste types. Case studies from Romania and Cyprus were presented, illustrating how municipalities could implement these strategies to achieve significant reductions in landfill waste and improve recycling rates.
Session 4: ASI programs for downstream services development
• Giuseppe Galeota – Telecommunications engineer (Italian Space Agency)
Giuseppe Galeota from the Italian Space Agency provided an overview of national initiatives leveraging satellite data for downstream services development. He showcased some use cases under the agency’s program “Innovation 4 Downstream Preparation (I4DP)” within the thematic areas of precision farming, effects of climate change, Sustainable Cities.
Looking ahead
The eUMaP workshop reinforced the importance of data integration, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative digital solutions in tackling urban and environmental challenges. By leveraging technologies like Gaia-X, AI-driven platforms, and Earth observation data, stakeholders can enhance crisis response, optimize resource management, and drive sustainability efforts across Europe.
A heartfelt thank you to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. Stay tuned for further developments and upcoming events within the eUMaP project!
The eUMaP project
The eUMaP project aims to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on critical infrastructure such as energy, water, waste, and telecommunication systems. It proposes the development of an open platform that enables local authorities to effectively manage and plan the demand and supply of building utilities during quarantine or lockdown situations, ensuring resilience and continuity. The platform is based on earth observation data and integrated with open BIM platforms in five European cities.
