Challenges and opportunities for Control in Smart Cities

IEEE CSS TC on Smart Cities Tutorial Session:
Challenges and Opportunities for Control in Smart Cities

Organizers: Mauro Salazar and Andreas Malikopoulos

Several urban areas are currently struggling with challenges such as grid congestion, (sustainable) energy and water procurement and distribution, environmental pollution, road traffic, cybersecurity, lack of accessibility and multi-dimensional social injustices. At the same time, we are witnessing significant advancements in new technologies such as the Internet of Things, AI and Big Data, autonomous driving, smart grid, smart water networks, and renewable energy technologies. These new technological trends continuously contribute to creating narratives around the concept of Smart Cities, where technologies are deployed to improve the wellbeing of citizens and the environment in a fair and sustainable manner.

In line with Langdon Winner’s argument that (technological) “artifacts have politics”, now more than ever (control) engineers have the double responsibility of not only devising effective technological solutions but also ensuring that they are catering to the needs of society and the planet in terms of wellbeing, justice and sustainability in the first place. 

Against this background, the IEEE CSS Technical Committee on Smart Cities organizes a tutorial session to reason upon challenges and opportunities in a field that is growing in terms of technical results, interdisciplinarity and fascinating research areas. The session will feature four invited presentations on

• Smart mobility systems (Andreas Malikopoulos, Cornell University, TC member)
• Smart power systems (Florian Dörfler, ETH Zürich, TC member)
• Smart water networks (Marios Polycarpou, University of Cyprus, TC member)
• Transdisciplinarity (Mauro Salazar, Eindhoven University of Technology, TC chair)
   

Objectives and Expected Outcome: Control systems can play an important role in shaping the future of Smart Cities. The expertise and innovative solutions of the community are crucial in addressing the complex challenges urban areas face today. This tutorial session provides an opportunity to learn about the latest advancements within exciting interdisciplinary areas revolving around Smart Cities, as well as to discuss practical implementations and explore new perspectives. By participating in this session, researchers in control will be better equipped to contribute to the development of Smart Cities that are not only technologically advanced, but also equitable, sustainable, and focused on the wellbeing of its citizens and the environment.

Presentation:

CDC 2025 Recorded Presentation