European cities are turning to geospatial intelligence to solve pressing urban challenges. By leveraging ArcGIS as a Geospatial AI platform, they are moving beyond disconnected tools to build integrated, AI-empowered systems that improve processes, enhance resilience, and support long-term planning.
Vilnius (Lithuania), for example, saves significant time and resources by using drones combined with AI models to monitor overflowing waste bins, detect invasive plant species, and assess rooftop conditions. ICLEI Member Valencia (Spain) applied geospatial AI during the 2024 Dana floods, using drone imagery and spatial analysis to quickly locate debris and identify the most affected zones. This helped emergency teams target their response where it was needed most, supporting swift action.
Nottingham (England) operates a digital twin to guide housing development and facilitate smarter decisions about land use and urban growth. Vilnius uses its digital twin to manage its stormwater infrastructure, supporting climate adaptation and reducing the impact of heavy rainfall. In both cases, ArcGIS provides the foundation for building and maintaining these data-driven models - offering the visualisation, analysis, and integration tools needed to bring digital twins to life.
Examples like those from Vilnius, Valencia, and Nottingham demonstrate what is possible when data, AI, and location intelligence are brought together into one cohesive system. Instead of relying on siloed tools, these cities are building connected platforms that support real-time insights and scalable solutions.
These findings emerged from a meeting hosted by ICLEI Europe as a side event of the European Urban Resilience Forum in Rotterdam. The session brought together Esri experts and city representatives to exchange experiences on how regions and municipalities are building AI-empowered urban systems using ArcGIS as a Geospatial AI platform.
For more information about ICLEI’s work on smart cities and digitalisation, visit our Green Digital Transition Team’s website.