13 November 2026 | Viterbo, Italy

Through the “Living Smart Viterbo” project, a network of sensors, a cloud platform with predictive analytics and the scientific expertise of Italy’s National Research Council (CNR) will provide the Municipality with real-time data on air quality, microclimate and urban heat islands

Viterbo is investing in data and digital technologies to improve environmental monitoring and support its urban development choices. The Municipality has selected Boldyn Networks Italia, part of the international Boldyn Networks group, one of the world’s leading shared network infrastructure operators, to deliver its new environmental monitoring system as part of the “Citizen Digital Experience – Living Smart Viterbo” project, included in the city’s Territorial Urban Development Strategy.

The project involves building a network of monitoring stations across the municipal area, a digital platform to collect and analyse the information, and predictive tools to interpret environmental phenomena. The aim is to complement the official monitoring carried out by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency with more granular and up-to-date data, supporting urban planning, climate risk management and public information.

The system uses AirQino multi-parameter monitoring stations, developed through more than ten years of collaboration with the CNR. The devices measure the main air quality parameters, including fine particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, along with meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind. The sensor configuration will be tailored to the characteristics of each area, from the city centre to the outlying villages, with specific solutions for high-traffic zones and industrial areas. The stations can be installed on street-lighting poles or existing buildings, limiting the need for new works and simplifying network management.

The data collected will flow into a cloud platform that organises it and makes it accessible in real time. The Municipality will be able to receive customisable alerts, access forecasts on air quality and significant weather events, and simulate the environmental effects of specific measures, such as introducing a new limited traffic zone (ZTL) or creating new green spaces. The platform will also allow the data to be integrated with the Municipality’s information systems, GIS mapping systems and open data. A public web page will make the information available to citizens and schools, raising awareness of local environmental conditions. A dedicated service will focus on the urban heat island phenomenon.

By combining satellite data on surface temperatures with measurements from the monitoring stations, it will be possible to produce maps of the temperature differences between built-up and peri-urban areas. This information will help the Administration identify the areas most exposed to heat and assess climate adaptation measures, from expanding urban greenery to using reflective materials and redeveloping public spaces.

The project benefits from the scientific contribution of the CNR, which will validate the data from the monitoring stations, monitor their reliability over time and produce regular air quality bulletins. By bringing together technology, analytics and scientific expertise, the project aims to turn information into practical support for environmental planning and administrative decision-making.

“Our commitment to Viterbo is to promote urban development that is increasingly focused on protecting the environment and the wellbeing of our community. Access to accurate, up-to-date data on air quality, climate conditions and heat islands will allow us to deepen our understanding of the area and support administrative decisions with objective evidence and more effective analytical tools. We want digital innovation to be a tangible resource for the city, helping to define targeted measures, strengthen our climate change adaptation strategies and raise citizens’ awareness of environmental conditions and how they are evolving”, said Chiara Frontini, Mayor of Viterbo.

"With Living Smart Viterbo, we want to show how digital infrastructure can create real value for cities and the people who live in them. Providing the Administration with granular environmental data, analytical tools and predictive capabilities means offering new resources to plan interventions, tackle climate challenges and make information more accessible to citizens. This is our vision of the Smart City: combining technology and expertise to help local communities make better-informed decisions, today and in the future", said Antonino Ruggiero, CEO of Boldyn Networks Italia.