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Building a smart economy: Training the workforce in multi-source data and AI-enhanced economic analysis
Get PDFIn the new era of economic analysis, the integration of multi-source data—spanning official, open, and private sources—presents unprecedented opportunities to gain nuanced insights into economic indicators. Traditional economic analyses have predominantly relied on singular data sources, limiting the depth of understanding available to policymakers and analysts alike. This paper explores an advanced framework for economic analysis, combining data from national and international organizations, such as the National Institute of Statistics, Eurostat, UN, and World Bank, with supplementary open and private datasets. By leveraging AI-driven methods, we uncover complex relationships across diverse economic factors, enabling more robust, predictive insights for policy and economic planning. Our approach builds upon the "Analysis of Economic and Social Data" postgraduate program, a modular training platform designed to equip professionals in public administration and private sectors with essential analytical skills. The program’s curriculum encompasses data collection, preparation, statistical analysis, and visualization, taught through Excel, Power BI, R, and Python—ensuring graduates gain hands-on expertise in using the most advanced tools in data analysis. The gradual, applied learning structure of this program provides students with the competencies to conduct multi-dimensional economic analyses, moving beyond isolated datasets to a holistic view powered by AI. We demonstrate how this approach transforms economic analysis, enabling practitioners to tackle real-world challenges through comprehensive case studies and projects. This work underscores the potential of a smart economy powered by a workforce proficient in modern data techniques, fostering data-informed decision-making that aligns with contemporary economic and social demands
Impactul atacurilor cibernetice asupra administrației publice
Get PDFÎn procesul de dezvoltare a administrației publice moderne, se observă cu ușurință direcția digitală spre care aceasta se îndreaptă. Fenomenul digitalizării instituțiilor publice se află în plină desfășurare, iar, odată cu progresul semnificativ, apar și noi pericole care pun la încercare siguranța datelor pe care acestea le posedă. Astfel, amenințările atacurilor cibernetice se intensifică. Luând în considerare cele menționate, această lucrare urmărește să ilustreze maniera în care atacurile cibernetice pot afecta funcționarea sistemului administrativ, dar și cum acestea impactează cetățenii, care reprezintă o componentă deosebit de importantă a structurii administrative. Pentru ca lucrarea să ofere o imagine de ansamblu complexă subiectului abordat, vor fi incluse informații esențiale colectate din texte de specialitate redactate de autori străini, cursuri ale profesorilor universitari și cercetări efectuate de pasionați ai domeniului, reușind prin această modalitate să se îmbine diferite perspective. Interviul, ca metodă de cercetare, va constitui fundamentul obiectivelor propuse și va contura armonios conglomeratul informațional înscris în acest document. Totodată, studiul de caz ales va fortifica ideea concluzivă a acestor consemnări. Mai precis aceea că, adesea, instituțiile integrante ale administrației publice nu sunt pregătite pentru eventualele atacuri cibernetice, iar acestea atrag după sine dereglări profunde, începând de la simple defecțiuni în procesul de funcționare al serviciilor publice, până la punerea sub mare risc a siguranței naționale. Important de precizat este faptul că expunerea de conținut din această teză își propune să contribuie la înțelegerea deplină a impactului atacurilor cibernetice asupra instituțiilor publice și de a furniza soluții de ameliorare a pericolelor eminente. O asemenea problematică nu trebuie tratată cu superficialitate. Trăim într-o contemporaneitate incertă și este imperios necesar să ne apărăm de orice primejdie, altmiteri, consecințele pot fi catastrofale. Dacă am particulariza conform tematicii lucrării, repercusiunile pot face referire la colapsul sistemului, revolte ale cetățenilor sau chiar un război cibernetic
INTEGRAREA CONCEPTELOR DE ORAȘ INTELIGENT (SMART CITY) ÎN PLANIFICAREA URBANĂ: PROVOCĂRI ȘI OPORTUNITĂȚI PENTRU ADMINISTRAȚIILE PUBLICE LOCALE DIN ROMÂNIA
Get PDFÎn această lucrare se va analiza integrarea conceptului de oraș inteligent (smart city) în planificarea urbană, cu un accent deosebit pe utilizarea dronelor. Se vor aborda provocările și oportunitățile pe care această tehnologie le aduce administrațiilor publice locale din România. Înainte de a detalia acest subiect, este esențial să înțelegem ce înseamnă conceptul de smart city și modul în care utilizarea dronelor se încadrează în acest context. Scopul integrării acestora constă în dezvoltarea urbană sustenabilă, îmbunătățirea serviciilor publice și creșterea eficienței proceselor decizionale. Lucrarea are la bază concepte și cercetări din domeniul tehnologiilor smart city și se bazează pe o gamă variată de surse, incluzând articole științifice, lucrări de specialitate, baze de date online și platforme acreditate, care contribuie semnificativ la dezvoltarea și susținerea argumentelor din cadrul lucrării. Metodologia va include observații legate de obstacolele legislative și financiare, analize privind aplicabilitatea dronelor în diverse scenarii și un studiu de caz concret care evidențiază impactul dronelor asupra colectării datelor geospațiale și monitorizării infrastructurii urbane. Rezultatele vor fi ilustrate prin rapoarte și analize empirice care evidențiază avantajele implementării acestor tehnologii, dar și provocările care împiedică adoptarea lor rapidă. Integrarea dronelor în planificarea urbană este o soluție inovatoare care poate transforma administrațiile locale din România, oferind cetățenilor acces mai rapid și mai eficient la servicii publice. Lucrarea va sublinia necesitatea unui cadru legislativ adecvat și a unui sprijin financiar continuu, fără de care aceste procese de transformare urbană nu pot fi complet implementate, iar concluziile și recomandările formulate în lucrare contribuie la înțelegerea rolului pe care tehnologiile smart city îl pot juca în dezvoltarea urbană sustenabilă, oferind soluții inovatoare pentru administrațiile publice din România
E-GUVERNAREA ÎN ROMÂNIA
Get PDFE-guvernarea reprezintă un concept esențial în procesul de modernizare al administrației publice din România, având scopul de a îmbunătăți eficiența și accesibilitatea serviciilor publice oferite cetățenilor. Lucrarea analizează implementarea e-guvernării în România, cu un accent pe evoluția digitalizării administrației publice și pe impactul acesteia asupra relației dintre stat și cetățeni. Obiectivele principale ale cercetării sunt de a evalua gradul de adoptare a tehnologiilor digitale în instituțiile publice din România, de a identifica beneficiile și provocările asociate acestui proces și de a propune soluții pentru îmbunătățirea implementării e-guvernării la nivel național și local. Lucrarea se bazează pe cercetări anterioare privind digitalizarea sectorului public, inclusiv studii comparate ale implementării de soluții de e-guvernare în alte state membre ale Uniunii Europene. Abordarea metodologică include analiza datelor statistice și a rapoartelor privind digitalizarea serviciilor publice, precum și un studiu de caz asupra implementării platformelor de e-servicii, cum ar fi portalurile de plăți online și sistemele de gestionare a documentelor. Printre principalele rezultate se numără progresele semnificative în oferirea de servicii digitale, precum plata impozitelor și accesul la informații publice, dar și provocările legate de accesibilitatea digitală și interoperabilitatea sistemelor. Concluziile sugerează necesitatea unui cadru legislativ clar și a unor investiții continue în infrastructura IT pentru a susține dezvoltarea unui sistem de e-guvernare eficient și sustenabil. Acestea vor sprijini nu doar administrarea mai bună a resurselor publice, ci și încrederea cetățenilor în instituțiile statului
GENESYS:Purging the foundation of a new smart city
Get PDFThe rapid evolution of urban environments necessitates a critical examination of previously utilized industrial sites, particularly decommissioned refineries that often leave behind a legacy of environmental degradation and community unrest. As cities grapple with the dual challenges of sustainable development and environmental remediation, the potential for revitalizing such sites into sustainable smart cities emerges as a beacon of hope. This paper presents the current state of a historic Romanian decommissioned massive refinery, explores the multifaceted decontamination processes employed to restore the land, and envisions a future where this revitalized space contributes to a new sustainable urban ecosystem. Through historical context, technological advancements, and community involvement, the transformation of a once-contaminated site into a thriving urban area can serve as a model for future developments aimed at balancing economic growth with ecological preservation. The basic technological infrastructure for a new smart city involves a combination of integrated systems designed to enhance urban living through connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Key components include a robust Internet of Things (IoT) network that supports smart sensors and devices for real-time data collection and monitoring across various sectors, such as transportation, energy, and public safety. Smart grids facilitate efficient energy distribution and management, while advanced water management systems ensure sustainable water use and quality monitoring. High-speed broadband connectivity is essential for supporting digital services and enabling residents to access information seamlessly. Additionally, automated waste management systems and smart transportation solutions, such as connected vehicles and intelligent traffic signals, improve urban mobility and reduce congestion. Collectively, these elements create a resilient framework that fosters innovation, enhances the quality of life, and promotes sustainable development within a new smart city
Neurourbanism. Enriching urban design process through new tools
Get PDFObjectives: The "Affective City" campaign, led by Federico De Matteis, underscores the idea that cities are not merely constructed from brick and stone but from affects, moods, atmospheres - those ineffable dimensions that are often overlooked in urban planning. Smart city research remains predominantly focused on technology, with an over-reliance on information and communication tools (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT) and AI-based solutions, often neglecting critical discussions around societal objectives and human-centric priorities. The emerging field of Neurourbanism acknowledged that urban environments significantly influence human existence, mental health and psycho-emotional well-being, providing the field of urbanism with useful design tools from the neuroscience field. This article underlines a human-centred interdisciplinary approach through386 Resilient Communities Empowered by Collective Intelligencewhich human values with their discrete dimensions can be infused into urban design processes, by leveraging a wide range of innovative tools specific to neurosciences. By this, enriched urban environments can improve the well-being of all users, in the spirit of an inclusive diversity. Prior work: The research is substantiated on established fields such as neurosciences, neuroaesthetics and already formulated concepts as environmental psychology and affective computing. Interdisciplinary applied research of the authors using affective computing tools is introduced. Approach: A narrative review based on using case studies and good practice examples has been employed, as well as a review of academic research in the field. In addition to this literature review, the first phase of an ongoing neurourbanism study is presented, which aims to use tools from human-computer interaction (HCI) and affective computing area. Results: This paper outlines how neurourbanism can be employed for emotional mapping and urban stress analysis, participatory urban design, monitoring health in cities, inclusivity and accessibility for mental health and for neuroaestethics studies and biophilic urban environments design that confirmed that green spaces in cities have sanative and restorative values. The experiment based on Self Assessment Manikin and EEG measurements confirmed that the perception of an architectural object in a urban context vs. without context is different. Implications: Understanding that architecture and urbanism are not only about form, rules and geometries, but also about human experience in space requires a holistic approach to design in urban planning that need to take advantage of these new available tools. The intersection between AI (big-data access) and Neurosciences offers transformative potential for urban planning with the potential to reinvent the urban planning design process through valuable new tools. Value: The research contributes in an interdisciplinary architecture-psychology-medicine-mathematics manner to the understanding and the opportunities of Neurourbanism in the context of today\u27s design process
Giving voice to people living in protected areas. An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Get PDFProtected areas represent a critical component of conservation efforts globally, serving as safe zones where ecosystems, species, and natural landscapes can be preserved. They play a significant role in maintaining biodiversity by limiting human activities that may disrupt habitats or exploit resources unsustainably. Objectives: Within the framework of the Endangered Landscapes Programme (ELP), a program managed by a team working under the direction of the Executive Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, the current research conducted by Natura 2000 Coalition Romania, seeks to provide a comprehensive idiographic analysis of the lived experiences of individuals residing in a protected area, employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the methodological framework. IPA is a systematic qualitative method that examines how people sense their significant life experiences. Approach: The study was conducted on a sample of five participants between 34 and 75 years old. Each participant was interviewed based on a semi-structured interview and their transcripts were further analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis. This method implied analyzing the experiential responses and their meanings line by line, followed by the identification of the emergent themes from the experiential material, focusing on similarities and discrepancies within each case and between all instances. Results: Six themes emerged from the experiential material provided by the participants: profound connection with nature, protected areas’ impact on the community, the importance of ecological education and information, over-tourism, and sustainable development challenges. Based on the “verbatim” content obtained, there could be outlined Implications: We believe that this type of approach provides new insights regarding the real experience of people who live in protected areas, based on first-hand information from people who went through the experience
Financial transparency and audit as the cornerstones of smart cities’ governance
Get PDFFinancial transparency and audit are increasingly recognized as the cornerstone of effective governance in smart cities. In the 21st century, cities are no longer merely territorial units; they are technologically integrated systems where data, information, and financial resources drive public value. The concept of a smart city extends beyond infrastructure and digital tools—it fundamentally depends on transparent and accountable financial management that fosters trust between citizens and municipal authorities. Financial transparency ensures that citizens have clear access to budget allocations, expenditures, investments, and public contracts. This visibility transforms the budget from a bureaucratic document into a tool for participatory governance, enabling citizens to engage with decision-making processes and hold authorities accountable. Transparency strengthens social trust, reduces corruption risks, and legitimizes policy decisions. Audit in smart cities has evolved from traditional assessment to a strategic governance mechanism. Data-driven auditing, real-time monitoring, and predictive analysis allow authorities to identify inefficiencies, prevent fraud, and optimize resource allocation. By integrating auditing with technology, cities achieve higher fiscal discipline and operational sustainability. Emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and open data platforms enhance both transparency and audit effectiveness. Blockchain provides immutable records of financial transactions, AI enables trend analysis and anomaly detection, and open data empowers citizens to independently analyze information and participate in urban governance. Despite these opportunities, challenges remain, including data security, skills shortages among auditing professionals, political resistance, and the high costs of technological implementation. Nevertheless, the synthesis of financial transparency and effective auditing establishes the ethical and functional backbone of smart cities. Ultimately, a smart city’s success is measured not by technological sophistication alone, but by the trust, accountability, and participatory engagement that transparency and audit facilitate. These elements form the essential foundation for resilient, equitable, and citizen-centered urban governance
Diia.pl: Navigating legal, technological and human rights dimensions of an electronic document for Ukrainian citizens in Poland
Get PDFThe objective of the paper is to present legal aspects of the concept and method of implementing an innovative solution such as an electronic document for Ukrainian citizens in Poland (Diia.pl), including some problems that arise in this context. This document is one of the elements of the Polish response to the arrival of millions of Ukrainian citizens seeking protection against the effects of the Russian invasion of February 2022. The fundamental research question is to what extent Diia.pl should be considered solely through the prism of technology and administration techniques, and to what extent - through the prism of human rights – in the context of real guarantees of respect for them. The study is a continuation of the authors\u27 prior work in the field of migration law and informatization of public services. Research is approached using the dogmatic-legal method; it also includes an analysis of statistical data and positions of various bodies and institutions, as well as problems observed in practice. The result is a diagnosis of challenges related to the use of electronic residence documents, in the context of political and social crises. This, in turn, implies the formulation of guidelines for countries wishing to introduce this type of solutions based on accumulated experience. Implications of the study are of great importance for academics, researchers and practitioners, that is lawmakers, border services, administration, employees and other entities. Considering forecasts of an increase in forced migration in the future, drawing appropriate conclusions from the use of Diia.pl may contribute to efficient responses to inevitable crises in the future and in that sense is of great value for different stakeholders
Engage citizens to smarten city governance
Get PDFObjective: Smart Cities Mission launched by Government of India in 2015 aims to promote sustainable and inclusive cities that provide core infrastructure and facilitates decent quality of life for the citizens. Emphasis is laid on good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation.The paper examines the challenges in people’s participation and identifies the factors that facilitate people’s involvement in enhancing smart governance. Prior Work: Underlining the importance of people in city development, a study was conducted when Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission was launched in 2005. The research was further extended when the Smart Cities Mission emphasized on the significance of citizens’ engagement. The present paper is continuum of these researches. Approach: This paper focuses on citizens’ engagement process applied under Smart Cities Mission, and attempts to investigate whether citizens’ point of views are directly or indirectly reflected in the Mission implementation. The paper is premised on literature review supported by a few field level surveys, consultations and analyses. Results: Smart Cities Mission emphasizes on public participation; and recommends Information Communication Technologies and e-governance as tools to facilitate and enhance citizen engagement. However, digital divide and digital illiteracy are serious challenges. Besides, bureaucratic control, political intervention, and top-down approach characterize Indian city governments. This leads to more of ceremonial public participation. But, there are instances of visionary and dynamic city governments that encouraged constructive and effective citizen participation. Implications:The paper would serve for further intensive studies to: a. identify effective ways for people’s participation in a system dominated by powerful vested interest groups averse to change, and ; b. provide policy-makers thoughts for effecting meaningful public involvement. Value: The paper findings are, by and large, common for developing countries. The paper indicates the mode for citizen engagement to enable smart governance of cities