Hosted by local partners from the Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS) at the VSPA Hotel Conference Centre, the meeting explored Tartu’s innovative approaches to citizen engagement and smart city development.
The day began with a welcome session, followed by an introduction to the RETIME project by Ricardo Pontes Resende from ISCTE, the coordinating institution. Participants then gained insights into local smart city initiatives, with presentations from Merit Tatar (IBS) and Jaanus Tamm from the Tartu City Government, highlighting ongoing projects that foster urban innovation and citizen participation.
A key highlight of the visit was the Tartu Smart Home Solution and Smart City Platform launched as a part of SmartENcity project (2016-2022), in which RETIME partners IBS played an active role. Expectations and ideas were discussed to build on the work initiated by IBS, ensuring that the Tartu pilot aligns with the project objectives.
The afternoon sessions included a walking tour of the pilot area in central Tartu, including the pilot building at Tähe 2. These on-site experiences allowed participants to witness firsthand the technological and infrastructural advancements being implemented. The day concluded with a wrap-up discussion on the next steps for the RETIME pilot activities in Tartu.
This visit in Tartu reinforced collaboration among consortium partners and other institutional bodies, paving the way for impactful urban resilience innovations in the city and beyond.
