Belsh Smart City
Basic information
Project Title
Belsh Smart City
Full project title
Belsh Smart City
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The "Belsh Smart City" implemented project refers to an urban environment that leverages micro-mobility for green areas and smart transport in Belsh city. The goal is to create a more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly urban mobility experience and to Contribute to the United Nations SDG. I developed this idea-project in a very small town in Albania but in a nice city that has 84 lakes. If we are all together we can achieve that not only cities to be green but the world to be green.
Geographical Scope
National
Project Region
Albania
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The Belsh Smart City project ideated by me and financed by the Green Ideas Competition, aims to create a green, pollution-free urban space through electric vehicles and sustainable practices in Belsh, a scenic Albanian city famed for its natural lakes. Targeting local communities and regional stakeholders in Albania and its neighbors, the project achieved a successful 6-month implementation, leading to a replicable model of urban sustainability and smart technology integration. Outcomes include heightened community engagement, employment opportunities, and increased environmental awareness, contributing to regional economic prosperity and development goals.
Green Smart Mobility Project Summary: Overall Aim:
The Belsh Smart City Project aims to revolutionize urban transportation by integrating sustainable, technologically advanced, and inclusive mobility solutions. The project seeks to create a smart, eco-friendly transportation ecosystem that addresses local mobility challenges while contributing to global sustainability goals.
Target Group(s):The primary target groups for this project include residents of the urban area in Belsh, commuters, visitors local businesses, and city planners. The focus is on creating a new transportation system that caters to the diverse needs of the community, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all demographic groups.Specific Objective(s):Promote Sustainable Transportation: Encourage the use of electric vehicles, and bicycles, to reduce carbon emissions and decrease reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
Community-Driven Decision-Making: Foster community engagement by involving residents in key decisions related to smart mobility infrastructure, service design, and project implementation. Empowering the community to actively participate in shaping their transportation landscape. Achieved outcomes in the context are increasing a micromobility usage , more bikes line.
Green Smart Mobility Project Summary: Overall Aim:
The Belsh Smart City Project aims to revolutionize urban transportation by integrating sustainable, technologically advanced, and inclusive mobility solutions. The project seeks to create a smart, eco-friendly transportation ecosystem that addresses local mobility challenges while contributing to global sustainability goals.
Target Group(s):The primary target groups for this project include residents of the urban area in Belsh, commuters, visitors local businesses, and city planners. The focus is on creating a new transportation system that caters to the diverse needs of the community, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all demographic groups.Specific Objective(s):Promote Sustainable Transportation: Encourage the use of electric vehicles, and bicycles, to reduce carbon emissions and decrease reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
Community-Driven Decision-Making: Foster community engagement by involving residents in key decisions related to smart mobility infrastructure, service design, and project implementation. Empowering the community to actively participate in shaping their transportation landscape. Achieved outcomes in the context are increasing a micromobility usage , more bikes line.
Key objectives for sustainability
The "Belsh Smart City" project had several objectives, the most important of which were as follows. The creation of green enterprises in the city of Belsh was founded by young people following training, and applying various national and international programs. The creation of green initiatives for less pollution in the city and an increase in the number of pedalers in the city of Belsh. The creation of an enterprise to bring or attract as many visitors to the city as possible, giving them new opportunities for entertainment in such sports.
Since electric vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, and cars, are vehicles that are replacing fuel vehicles, such projects bring a significant and positive impact on our society. The project has stability and continuity because the future is electricity and everyone is going after it in this direction. The terms of sustainability in my project have been met at satisfactory levels because the project has been liked, and embraced and the first results have been impressive and full of impact in the community. The key objectives of my project in terms of sustainability have been met as follows:
When it comes to sustainability micromobility solutions create zero emissions which allow densely populated area to reduce carbon footprint. The micromobilty tranportation model is extremely sustanable, especially as escooter continue to evolve.
Smart Infrastructure: Implementing intelligent and efficient systems to enhance resource management. The Municipality has done work on bike lanes across the lakes in the center of Belsh and other bike lines in other lakes.
Community Engagement: Involving and educating the local community to foster a sense of shared responsibility, model of bike cycling, scooter, etc.
Innovation: Introducing and applying creative and cutting-edge solutions for a greener future.
Since electric vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, and cars, are vehicles that are replacing fuel vehicles, such projects bring a significant and positive impact on our society. The project has stability and continuity because the future is electricity and everyone is going after it in this direction. The terms of sustainability in my project have been met at satisfactory levels because the project has been liked, and embraced and the first results have been impressive and full of impact in the community. The key objectives of my project in terms of sustainability have been met as follows:
When it comes to sustainability micromobility solutions create zero emissions which allow densely populated area to reduce carbon footprint. The micromobilty tranportation model is extremely sustanable, especially as escooter continue to evolve.
Smart Infrastructure: Implementing intelligent and efficient systems to enhance resource management. The Municipality has done work on bike lanes across the lakes in the center of Belsh and other bike lines in other lakes.
Community Engagement: Involving and educating the local community to foster a sense of shared responsibility, model of bike cycling, scooter, etc.
Innovation: Introducing and applying creative and cutting-edge solutions for a greener future.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Belsh Smart City project aims to achieve in terms of aesthetics, quality of experience, and cultural benefits.
Aesthetics-Urban: Focusing on creating bike lines, scooter lines, and green space.
1. Efficiency: Enhancing the efficiency of smart mobility systems to reduce commuting time, congestion, and environmental impact.
2. User-Friendly Interfaces: Developing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for mobility services, apps, and physical infrastructure.
Key objectives in terms of Cultural Benefits:
Inclusive: Ensuring that the design accommodates the needs of diverse populations, including those with disabilities or specific cultural considerations.
Public Spaces for Activity with e-bikes and e-Scooters: Designing public spaces for urban mobility that encourage social interaction and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging.
The exemplary project in this case consists of the fact that is creating a new culture in the city because before the project implementation, nobody in the city was interested in activity with e-bikes or e-scooters, and is increasing the number of users for e-bikes and e-scooters as well.
Aesthetics-Urban: Focusing on creating bike lines, scooter lines, and green space.
1. Efficiency: Enhancing the efficiency of smart mobility systems to reduce commuting time, congestion, and environmental impact.
2. User-Friendly Interfaces: Developing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for mobility services, apps, and physical infrastructure.
Key objectives in terms of Cultural Benefits:
Inclusive: Ensuring that the design accommodates the needs of diverse populations, including those with disabilities or specific cultural considerations.
Public Spaces for Activity with e-bikes and e-Scooters: Designing public spaces for urban mobility that encourage social interaction and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging.
The exemplary project in this case consists of the fact that is creating a new culture in the city because before the project implementation, nobody in the city was interested in activity with e-bikes or e-scooters, and is increasing the number of users for e-bikes and e-scooters as well.
Key objectives for inclusion
Project Belsh Smart City has been a project open for the community in Belsh City giving opportunities to everyone to join in this unique adventure.
1. Accessibility: In cooperation with the Municipality of Belsh we created universally accessible transportation infrastructure, such as ramps, for people with disabilities in the city.
2. Affordability: Renting a Micromobility device is far more cost-effective than purchasing a full-sized vehicle, maintaining insurance, paying for routine maintenance and buying fuel. This will free up cummunity members revenue which they can then spend on necessities while also suppporting local businesses .
3. Design for All Principles: Developing transportation modes that cater to the needs of all individuals, regardless of age, or physical abilities,
4. New Societal Models: Experimenting with eco-friendly and community-oriented mobility solutions that reduce environmental impact.
5. Collaborating with local communities to understand their unique needs and integrating these insights into the project's design and implementation.
1. Accessibility: In cooperation with the Municipality of Belsh we created universally accessible transportation infrastructure, such as ramps, for people with disabilities in the city.
2. Affordability: Renting a Micromobility device is far more cost-effective than purchasing a full-sized vehicle, maintaining insurance, paying for routine maintenance and buying fuel. This will free up cummunity members revenue which they can then spend on necessities while also suppporting local businesses .
3. Design for All Principles: Developing transportation modes that cater to the needs of all individuals, regardless of age, or physical abilities,
4. New Societal Models: Experimenting with eco-friendly and community-oriented mobility solutions that reduce environmental impact.
5. Collaborating with local communities to understand their unique needs and integrating these insights into the project's design and implementation.
Results in relation to category
The whole project has had a positive impact on the community in Belsh making it cleaner for a healthier life. It has had a special impact on young children in Belsh who, thanks to the project Belsh Smart City, are starting to pedal and understand the benefits of pedaling from a young age. They are learning about bicycle culture and environmental protection in general.
The project has also led to an increase in the usage of electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters in the city, resulting in a reduction in carbon emissions, improved air quality, and less dependency on traditional fossil fuel-based transportation.
Community-driven decision-making processes in Belsh have been successfully adopted, resulting in increased community engagement and empowerment in shaping local transportation solutions.
Encouraging active transportation modes has resulted in improved public health outcomes due to increased physical activity and reduced sedentary lifestyles.
Advanced technologies such as e-bikes, scooters, and Moto City coco have been integrated, enhancing efficiency and creating a technologically advanced transportation system in Belsh. Thanks to the project, the community in Belsh has become more friendly with nature. It is a special feeling to see more bicycle and scooter users in the city today, as well as to see bicycle activity from children to school. The whole project has had a positive impact on the environment, making it cleaner for a healthier life. Last but not least our efforts to make the city, Albania, and Europe cleaner, and greener will continue.
The project has also led to an increase in the usage of electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters in the city, resulting in a reduction in carbon emissions, improved air quality, and less dependency on traditional fossil fuel-based transportation.
Community-driven decision-making processes in Belsh have been successfully adopted, resulting in increased community engagement and empowerment in shaping local transportation solutions.
Encouraging active transportation modes has resulted in improved public health outcomes due to increased physical activity and reduced sedentary lifestyles.
Advanced technologies such as e-bikes, scooters, and Moto City coco have been integrated, enhancing efficiency and creating a technologically advanced transportation system in Belsh. Thanks to the project, the community in Belsh has become more friendly with nature. It is a special feeling to see more bicycle and scooter users in the city today, as well as to see bicycle activity from children to school. The whole project has had a positive impact on the environment, making it cleaner for a healthier life. Last but not least our efforts to make the city, Albania, and Europe cleaner, and greener will continue.
How Citizens benefit
I will describe how citizens in Belsh and civil society have been involved in the project Belsh Smart City and the impact of their engagement:
Sustainability:
Citizen Involvement in Belsh: Citizens are actively involved in the project through participatory activities with bikes, surveys on how to improve the service, and community meetings face to face. They provided input on sustainable mobility preferences, highlighted key transportation challenges in their daily lives, and contributed ideas for reducing the environmental impact of transportation for other projects in the future.
Civil Society Engagement Partners Albania: Civil society organizations in Tirana because we don't have in Belsh focused on environmental advocacy collaborate with me, and support with strategies and funds. They did awareness campaigns about climate action, and green enterprises, educated citizens about the benefits of sustainable mobility, and acted as liaisons between the community and the project planners.
Impact: Citizens and civil society contributed to the project implementation of "Belsh Smart City". Their engagement ensured that the project aligns with the community's environmental values, leading to higher adoption rates and a more significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly transportation alternatives.
Citizen Involvement: Citizens participated in workshops organized by us where they expressed preferences for the number of bike lanes, pedestrian zones etc.
Sustainability:
Citizen Involvement in Belsh: Citizens are actively involved in the project through participatory activities with bikes, surveys on how to improve the service, and community meetings face to face. They provided input on sustainable mobility preferences, highlighted key transportation challenges in their daily lives, and contributed ideas for reducing the environmental impact of transportation for other projects in the future.
Civil Society Engagement Partners Albania: Civil society organizations in Tirana because we don't have in Belsh focused on environmental advocacy collaborate with me, and support with strategies and funds. They did awareness campaigns about climate action, and green enterprises, educated citizens about the benefits of sustainable mobility, and acted as liaisons between the community and the project planners.
Impact: Citizens and civil society contributed to the project implementation of "Belsh Smart City". Their engagement ensured that the project aligns with the community's environmental values, leading to higher adoption rates and a more significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly transportation alternatives.
Citizen Involvement: Citizens participated in workshops organized by us where they expressed preferences for the number of bike lanes, pedestrian zones etc.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
To highlight the innovative character of the Belsh Smart City project in comparison to mainstream actions in the field, I will explain where the project incorporates cutting-edge technologies, novel approaches, and unique features that set it apart:
Integration of Advanced Mobility:
Innovative Aspect: Show the app for electric scooters where every person can sign up and log in to Xiaomi.
Comparison to Mainstream Actions: This project leverages state-of-the-art technologies to create a highly intelligent and adaptive transportation system in the community such as e-bikes, e-scooters etc.
Innovative Aspect: The project focuses on inclusive design principles, ensuring that mobility solutions cater to the needs of diverse user groups, including differently-abled individuals, elderly citizens, and marginalized communities. It goes beyond basic accessibility requirements to create a truly inclusive environment.
Comparison to Mainstream Actions: Mainstream projects may address accessibility requirements to some extent, but this project takes a pioneering approach by actively involving the target communities in the design process, resulting in a more comprehensive and inclusive solution.
Circular Economy Integration:
Innovative Aspect: The project incorporates principles of the circular economy by designing infrastructure for bikes, electric scooters, and city coco.
Integration of Advanced Mobility:
Innovative Aspect: Show the app for electric scooters where every person can sign up and log in to Xiaomi.
Comparison to Mainstream Actions: This project leverages state-of-the-art technologies to create a highly intelligent and adaptive transportation system in the community such as e-bikes, e-scooters etc.
Innovative Aspect: The project focuses on inclusive design principles, ensuring that mobility solutions cater to the needs of diverse user groups, including differently-abled individuals, elderly citizens, and marginalized communities. It goes beyond basic accessibility requirements to create a truly inclusive environment.
Comparison to Mainstream Actions: Mainstream projects may address accessibility requirements to some extent, but this project takes a pioneering approach by actively involving the target communities in the design process, resulting in a more comprehensive and inclusive solution.
Circular Economy Integration:
Innovative Aspect: The project incorporates principles of the circular economy by designing infrastructure for bikes, electric scooters, and city coco.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
I have always been passionate about an electric device that does not pollute, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, motors, and electric cars, so everything that does not pollute has been among my priorities and the passion has helped me in the application and implementation of the project in the Belsh area in Albania. I spend a lot of time reading information, various studies by experts, and interviews on TV about the green economy, polluted air, electric cars, etc. All of these have contributed to the design of the project and implementation. I am cooperative and creative by nature and in this way, I have carried out the implementation of the project perfectly, as stated by the Partners Albania Organization that helped and financially supported the implementation of the project idea but representatives of different fields interacted with each other, and the added value I will explain as follows:
1. Urban Planning from Municipality: These professional people helped me to choose the best point in the city square for e-bike and e-scooter stations. They referred to the best practices in Europe
2. Environmental Science and Sustainability: Their expertise helps embed sustainable practices into the project, minimizing its ecological footprint and contributing to long-term environmental health.
3. Partners Albania support; The organisation has been always in touch with me during project-implementation giving expertise in each action.
1. Urban Planning from Municipality: These professional people helped me to choose the best point in the city square for e-bike and e-scooter stations. They referred to the best practices in Europe
2. Environmental Science and Sustainability: Their expertise helps embed sustainable practices into the project, minimizing its ecological footprint and contributing to long-term environmental health.
3. Partners Albania support; The organisation has been always in touch with me during project-implementation giving expertise in each action.
Methodology used
Creating a project proposal and implementing it for the Belsh Smart City project involved several key steps. Here's the methodology that I have used during the project proposal and project implementation:
Project Introduction: I started with a clear and concise introduction that outlines the purpose of the project. I defined the need for electric bikes , e-scooters, addressing environmental concerns in Belsh, or the desire for sustainable transportation.
Project Objectives: I stated the objectives of the electric e-bikes and e-scooters project. This has included reducing carbon emissions, promoting eco-friendly transportation, or addressing specific mobility challenges in the target area.
Market Analysis: I made an analysis of the market to understand the demand for e-bikes and e-scooters. Identifying the target audience, competitors, and potential challenges. Highlighting the growing trend and acceptance of electric bikes.
Technical Specifications: I made a study plan about technical specifications for the electric bikes and e-scooter. This included information on battery capacity, motor power, charging infrastructure, and any innovative feature.
Budget Plan:I developed a comprehensive budget that covered purchase of bikes and e-scooters, salary employee, marketing, and any other relevant expenses.
Project Introduction: I started with a clear and concise introduction that outlines the purpose of the project. I defined the need for electric bikes , e-scooters, addressing environmental concerns in Belsh, or the desire for sustainable transportation.
Project Objectives: I stated the objectives of the electric e-bikes and e-scooters project. This has included reducing carbon emissions, promoting eco-friendly transportation, or addressing specific mobility challenges in the target area.
Market Analysis: I made an analysis of the market to understand the demand for e-bikes and e-scooters. Identifying the target audience, competitors, and potential challenges. Highlighting the growing trend and acceptance of electric bikes.
Technical Specifications: I made a study plan about technical specifications for the electric bikes and e-scooter. This included information on battery capacity, motor power, charging infrastructure, and any innovative feature.
Budget Plan:I developed a comprehensive budget that covered purchase of bikes and e-scooters, salary employee, marketing, and any other relevant expenses.
How stakeholders are engaged
Local Stakeholders such as The Municipality, businesses, Tour operators, etc:
Role and Involvement in the project implementation: Local stakeholders, including the Municipality of Belsh, residents, and local businesses including restaurants, agencies, tour operators, etc, are engaged through community meetings, and workshops. They collaborate with promoting new touristic services in the city to the foreign visitors that come to Belsh for visit and also they bring me visitors to take bikes, scooters, etc. We have a strong cooperation with each other. The municipality helped to create new bike lines and promoted the project.
Regional Stakeholders: They have contributed to regulatory aspects, coordinating infrastructure development for bikes, and scooters, and providing regional-level resources and support. Regional stakeholders helped to promote the project regionally. Their involvement has been a help to project success.
National Stakeholders: The Tourism and Environment Ministry, and regulatory bodies support the projects. Their support provided stability, scalability, and national visibility to the project.
European Stakeholders - involvement has included participation in European-level conferences in Belgrade for the Urban Mobility Project, partnerships with SMEs in North Macedonia, training for Smart Tourism in Tetova North Macedonia organized by Metamorphosis Foundation, and compliance with EU regulations. All these collaborations have been an added value for the project Belsh Smart City.
Role and Involvement in the project implementation: Local stakeholders, including the Municipality of Belsh, residents, and local businesses including restaurants, agencies, tour operators, etc, are engaged through community meetings, and workshops. They collaborate with promoting new touristic services in the city to the foreign visitors that come to Belsh for visit and also they bring me visitors to take bikes, scooters, etc. We have a strong cooperation with each other. The municipality helped to create new bike lines and promoted the project.
Regional Stakeholders: They have contributed to regulatory aspects, coordinating infrastructure development for bikes, and scooters, and providing regional-level resources and support. Regional stakeholders helped to promote the project regionally. Their involvement has been a help to project success.
National Stakeholders: The Tourism and Environment Ministry, and regulatory bodies support the projects. Their support provided stability, scalability, and national visibility to the project.
European Stakeholders - involvement has included participation in European-level conferences in Belgrade for the Urban Mobility Project, partnerships with SMEs in North Macedonia, training for Smart Tourism in Tetova North Macedonia organized by Metamorphosis Foundation, and compliance with EU regulations. All these collaborations have been an added value for the project Belsh Smart City.
Global challenges
The "Belsh Smart City" addres the global challenge of climate change by providing local solutions that foster sustainable urban mobility. By shifting the city's transportation paradigm to electric vehicles such as e-bikes, and scooters, we've tackled air pollution and CO2 emissions, offering a model that contributes to the larger agenda of Climate Action under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the project promotes sustainable cities and communities, another SDG goal, through its scalable, electric-based transport solutions.
The Belsh Smart City project addresses several global challenges by providing innovative and localized solutions. Here are some key global challenges that the project effectively tackle at the local level:
Climate Change and Environmental Degradation:
Local Solution: The project Belsh Smart City promotes the use of ee-bikes , e-scooters, cycling, and walking as sustainable modes of transportation, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and minimizing carbon emissions. By encouraging eco-friendly mobility options, the project contributes to mitigating climate change and decreasing local air pollution, fostering a healthier environment for the community.
The Belsh Smart City project addresses several global challenges by providing innovative and localized solutions. Here are some key global challenges that the project effectively tackle at the local level:
Climate Change and Environmental Degradation:
Local Solution: The project Belsh Smart City promotes the use of ee-bikes , e-scooters, cycling, and walking as sustainable modes of transportation, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and minimizing carbon emissions. By encouraging eco-friendly mobility options, the project contributes to mitigating climate change and decreasing local air pollution, fostering a healthier environment for the community.
Learning transferred to other parties
When considering the transferability and replicability of a project, it's essential to identify elements that can be adapted and implemented in different places, benefiting various groups of beneficiaries. Let's break down potential transferable and replicable elements in my project Belsh Smart City:
Technology: My project involves innovative technologies, such as advanced electric bike components, these technological aspects could be replicated in different locations with similar mobility needs.
Sustainable Practices: My project incorporates sustainable and eco-friendly practices in manufacturing, these practices can be transferred to other projects or industries aiming for environmental sustainability.
Business Model: The business model that I have adopted for the Belsh Smart City project partnerships with local businesses, or a direct-to-consumer model, can be replicated in different markets with appropriate adjustments.
Community Engagement Strategies: My project includes effective community engagement strategies, such as riding with bike, and awareness campaigns, these approaches can be transferred to other projects seeking community involvement in other places.
Collaborative Partnership: My project involves successful collaborations with various stakeholders, such as government bodies, municipality technology providers, or community organizations, the model of collaboration can be replicated in other contexts to enhance project success.
Training Programs: My project includes training programs for local communities, including kids, or technicians involved in the electric bike project, these programs can be adapted and transferred to other locations to build expertise and capacity.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices: Documenting lessons learned and best practices throughout the project can serve as a valuable resource for others looking to undertake similar initiatives. This knowledge-sharing can enhance the success of future projects.
Technology: My project involves innovative technologies, such as advanced electric bike components, these technological aspects could be replicated in different locations with similar mobility needs.
Sustainable Practices: My project incorporates sustainable and eco-friendly practices in manufacturing, these practices can be transferred to other projects or industries aiming for environmental sustainability.
Business Model: The business model that I have adopted for the Belsh Smart City project partnerships with local businesses, or a direct-to-consumer model, can be replicated in different markets with appropriate adjustments.
Community Engagement Strategies: My project includes effective community engagement strategies, such as riding with bike, and awareness campaigns, these approaches can be transferred to other projects seeking community involvement in other places.
Collaborative Partnership: My project involves successful collaborations with various stakeholders, such as government bodies, municipality technology providers, or community organizations, the model of collaboration can be replicated in other contexts to enhance project success.
Training Programs: My project includes training programs for local communities, including kids, or technicians involved in the electric bike project, these programs can be adapted and transferred to other locations to build expertise and capacity.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices: Documenting lessons learned and best practices throughout the project can serve as a valuable resource for others looking to undertake similar initiatives. This knowledge-sharing can enhance the success of future projects.
Keywords
Sustainability.
Employment of young people in Belsh.
Smart Infrastructure new bike lines.
Community Engagement.
Innovation for a greener future.
