UrbanAIR Project

@urbanair

Helping cities beat extreme heat and air pollution with digital twins that merge climate science and human behaviour. Funded by the EU #HorizonEU.

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UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· 29d

Why does this matter? Better models = better decisions for #UrbanPlanning & public health. 🌳 This isn't about a "winner"—it's about improving how we design cool, breathable cities. Huge thanks to our partners at@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, KNMI, & Meteo France! 🌍✨ (3/3)

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jun 17

Last week, #UrbanAIR joined the 5th Destination Earth (#DestinE) User eXchange in Brussels! 🌍 Our team shared insights on our #DigitalTwin user journeys & gathered feedback from users & policymakers in climate resilience. Read our blog & view presentations: www.urbanair-project.eu/post/urbanai...

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· May 15

How do we fix the scale gap between 2km weather models and 2m urban simulations? In the #UrbanAIR project, we’re using ESMDA (Ensemble Smoother with Multiple Data Assimilation) to correct inflow boundary conditions using local sensor data. Tiny data, massive accuracy gains. 🏙️💨 #CFD #OpenScience

This image is a top-down contour plot showing fluid velocity flow around a cluster of square obstacles, likely representing a wind tunnel simulation or urban airflow model.
Key Features

Axes: A 2D coordinate system with X (horizontal) and Y (vertical).
Obstacles: Approximately 20 gray squares arranged in a staggered grid. Four small yellow dots are placed at specific points between these obstacles.
Flow Direction: Fluid flows from left to right.
Velocity Scale (velave): A color gradient on the left tracks average velocity from 0.02 (dark purple) to 0.22 (bright yellow).

Visual Analysis

High Velocity (Green/Yellow): The fastest flow occurs in the open channels between the obstacles and around the edges of the entire cluster.
Low Velocity (Purple/Dark Blue): Significant "wake" regions of low velocity are visible immediately behind each square and in a large, turbulent zone to the right of the cluster.
Turbulence: The flow patterns become increasingly irregular and "wavy" as the fluid exits the right side of the obstacle group.

This image shows a line graph comparing three different datasets for velocity over a 100-minute period.

Graph Overview
X-axis: Time (minutes), ranging from 0 to 100.

Y-axis: Velocity (m/s), ranging from 4 to 12.

Legend:

Prior (Light Blue): A wide "fan" or ensemble of many thin lines showing a high degree of uncertainty and spread.

Posterior (Pink): A much narrower, denser band of lines that closely tracks the reference data.

Reference (Black with points): A single, solid black line representing the ground truth or target data.

Visual Behavior
The graph demonstrates a sequential data assimilation process, likely a filter (like an Ensemble Kalman Filter). Every 10 minutes, there is a visible "correction" where the broad blue lines (the Prior) are suddenly pulled inward to form the tight pink cluster (the Posterior).

As time progresses between these 10-minute intervals, the blue lines fan out again as uncertainty grows, until the next update point brings them back toward the black Reference line. Overall, the pink posterior lines accurately follow the undulating path of the reference velocity, which fluctuates between approximately 6 m/s and 11 m/s.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Apr 24

🌍 UrbanAIR is heading to the "Destination Earth" summit! Postdoc scientist at #BSC Cristina Carnerero will give a flash talk on how our air quality modelling fits into Europe’s Earth #DigitalTwin initiative. 📅 April 29 📍 Barcelona & Online 🗣️ Language: Spanish (1/2)

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Apr 1

We’re building a Community of Practice for municipal teams to get hands-on with climate data. 🧵... Where planners can test real-world scenarios—like how new parks or transit changes affect neighbourhood health—before breaking ground. 🏗️ Keep an eye out for our upcoming User Committee Meetings!

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Mar 30

How do you model a city's microclimate with precision? 🏙️ @meteofrance.com & SMHI are refining the Tactus workflow to use high-res OpenStreetMap data and optimised surface initialisation. The goal: unprecedented accuracy in street-level heat & air-quality simulations. #Meteorology #OpenStreetMap

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Mar 24

📢 Tomorrow at #ICRS2026: Aulia Sukma presents a new vision for heat-resilient cities! Funded by the EU's UrbanAIR project, this work is bridging the gap between government policy and household needs for #ClimateJustice. 🕒 11:00 – 12:00 #UrbanResilience #Antwerp #ICRS2026

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Mar 19

🏙️ Progress in urban LES modeling with #MesoNH! Our team at LAERO is advancing high-res simulations for the #UrbanAIR Digital Twin. 🚀 This video shows the daily air temp cycle in Paris during the 2023 PANAME heatwave. We're mapping extreme heat to help design resilient cities. 🌡️ #Paris #DigitalTwin

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Feb 27

How do we design cities that stay cool? 🏙️🌡️ #WomenInUrbanAIR Aulia Sukma! She’s using behavioural modelling to understand how we can better adapt to urban heat. Check out the new interview to learn how data is shaping the future of climate-resilient cities: 🔗 www.urbanair-project.eu/post/aulia-i...

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Feb 13

🌡️ How hot is "too hot" for you? #UrbanAIR & @tudelft.nl are launching a major survey to learn how people in different cities perceive heat. ❌ It’s not just for scientists. ✅ It’s for everyone who lives, works, or breathes in a city. 🔗 Join the study: tudelft.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

UrbanAIR yellow poster on heat extreme survey with titles and info including a QR code and an image of a man sweating and suffering from heat.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Dec 24

Happy Holidays from #UrbanAIR! 🎄🏙️ Wishing our #UrbanAIRteam & supporters a joyful season! As we head into 2026, we remain committed to our mission of building healthier, more resilient cities through digital twin technology. Thank you for a great year of collaboration! ✨ #ClimateResilience #NewYear

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Dec 23

Building Resilient Cities 🌍🏙️ The momentum is high after the #UrbanAIR General Assembly in London! Together with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @tudelfteemcs.bsky.social @bsc-cns.bsky.social, @vito-research.bsky.social @knmi.nl we refined our 2026 roadmap! ↪️ www.urbanair-project.eu/post/urbanai...

A wide group photograph of approximately 60 international researchers and partners from the UrbanAIR consortium. They are gathered outside a modern, bright innovation space at Scale Space, White City, London. The group includes a diverse range of scientists, running together to the photographer, to mark the next steps of the General Assembly hosted by Imperial College London. Most are smiling as they run, and the background shows one of the Imperial College London buildings with glass walls and contemporary design.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Nov 21

A huge high-five to our over 300 followers here on Bluesky! Your support means a lot to our team. We're now over 1500 combined followers & counting! interested in learning more about our work? ➡️ Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/urba... #UrbanairProject #HorizonEU #ThankYou

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Nov 11

🎥 The LAERO team at University of Toulouse, part of #UrbanAIR, is advancing high-resolution urban climate simulations with the Meso-NH model to study heatwaves and storms in #Paris, supporting data-driven planning for more resilient cities. #DestinationEarth #HorizonEU

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Oct 31

🏙️ #WorldCitiesDay 2025 When heat rises, city health becomes personal. UrbanAIR is building people-centred smart cities where tech follows human need — helping Antwerp + Barcelona stay cleaner, cooler, and fairer. Because resilience isn’t abstract. It’s shade, airflow, and time to act.

A busy European city street with people walking between shops and trams on a cool day. The image includes the text ‘#WorldCitiesDay’ and logos for the European Union and UrbanAIR, representing sustainable, people-centred urban development.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Oct 15

Proud of our partners Cristina Carnerero and Álvaro Criado Romero from @bsc-cns.bsky.social. Tomorrow they join the roundtable “Generating scientific evidence to inform decision-making” at the Congrés de la Qualitat de l'Aire to discuss UrbanAIR and how science can improve air quality in Barcelona.💨

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Oct 14

At #HARMO23 in Hamburg, our partner Jorge Sousa from VITO shared results from Antwerp. His presentation compared micro-scale air quality models & configurations to better understand air quality in Antwerp. These models will power UrbanAIR digital twin for smarter, sustainable city decisions.

Jorge Sousa from VITO stands beside a HARMO23 conference sign in Hamburg. The sign reads “HARMO23 – 23rd International Conference on Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes,” organized by Universität Hamburg and Hereon.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Sep 21

🌍 What if cities could test plans before action? UrbanAIR is co-designing next-gen digital twins with Barcelona and Antwerp to model heat, wind and pollution, use AI emulators, and capture citizen behaviour. Linked with DestinE. Next tests in the learning cities of Bristol, Paris and Rotterdam.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Sep 5

❓ Who protects us most during extreme heatwaves? Not public systems, but households and neighbourhoods. Researchers from TU Delft explore Community-Based Adaptation as a bottom-up way to build resilience and justice in climate action. #ClimateAdaptation #CommunityResilience #TUdelft

An infographic on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA), created for the UrbanAIR project and TU Delft. At the top, a modern city skyline represents “Top Down Approaches,” including institutional models, agent-based models, and cross-sectoral integration. At the bottom, a neighbourhood with houses and trees represents “Bottom-Up Community Approach,” including neighbourhood-level actions, behavioural simulation, and nature-based solutions. In the centre, the text reads “Community Based Adaptation (CBA),” with a triangle showing justice, capacity, and responsibility. Arrows connect the city and neighbourhood, illustrating integration of approaches.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Sep 5

🌆 How do winds move between buildings? Our partners at NORCE use the Lattice Boltzmann Model with real wind data to run 100+ simulations. The result? High-resolution forecasts of urban airflow for planning, climate studies, and real-time city predictions. 🌬️ #UrbanClimate #WindModeling

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Aug 24

🏙️ UrbanAIR is teaming up with DAFNI and STFC Scientific Computing to build digital twins that tackle air pollution, heat stress and climate resilience. 1️⃣ Their first milestone coming by the end of 2025! Stay tuned for updates and a live demonstration! ⚙️ #UrbanAIR #DigitalTwins #HorizonEurope

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Aug 19

🏙️ Cities face rising climate risks like heat, pollution and wildfires. UrbanAIR helps designers build safer, more resilient cities using data, simulations and digital twins, with modelling support from our partners @CERFACS. Smarter planning starts with better air insights. 🌬️

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Aug 10

🏙️ How do tall buildings shape city weather? At the Boundary Layer and Turbulence Conference in Turin, our partners @meteofrance.com shared first results from UrbanAIR using the AROME model at 200 m and 100 m for Paris and Antwerp, testing effects of building height on boundary layer fields.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Aug 3

Powerful tools only matter if cities can truly use them. 🛠️ UrbanAIR, with the help of Resilient Cities Network, is co-developing digital twins with local teams to make them usable, relevant, and trusted. Built from the ground up for those who need them most. 🌍

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jul 21

SMHI’s team is now complete! 👏 We welcome Abhilash Menon, PhD, to the SMHI & UrbanAIR teams! 🎉 He'll work on turbulence modeling in the HARMONIE-AROME NWP system, focusing on 100–200 m simulations over urban areas. 🏙️🌬️ 🔗 Details about Abhilash’s scientific and research profile here: lnkd.in/dFBE8fhB

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jul 14

Who are we really designing for? In #UrbanAIR, stakeholder mapping helps us co-create tools that are useful, used & usable — with real city actors, not ideal users. Inclusion, equity & relevance start with listening, mapping & co-production. 👂🌍 #ClimateTools #UrbanFutures #CoProduction

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jul 11

🚀 UrbanAIR wrapped up a powerful week at #ICUC12 in Rotterdam We shared our work on digital twins for the urban atmosphere, linking physics-based models, real-world data, and local planning needs 🌍🏙️ A big thank you to all our partners for their energy and contributions throughout the week 🙏

UrbanAIR partners enjoying a sunny afternoon in Rotterdam after the conference.

Su Li Heng, our partner from TU Delft, posing in front of the UrbanAIR poster

Sam Pickard from Barcelona Supercomputing Center speaking with ICUC12 attendees in front of the UrbanAIR poster.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jul 2

Progress in LES modelling at urban scale with Meso-NH 🌍 The LAERO team at Univ. of Toulouse is running high-res urban simulations with Meso-NH—part of UrbanAIR’s role in the DestinE Digital Twin. 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 Antwerp during a heatwave 🌡️ 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 ✔️ Model setup ✔️ Meteorological data ✔️ Performance testing

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jun 27

🌍 UrbanAIR at the 4th DestinE User eXchange 📍 Vienna, 25–26 June 2025 Great to see Natalie Theeuwes from @knmi.nl present UrbanAIR at @esa.int Living Planet Symposium. She used a user journey to show how we'll use #DestinationEarth infrastructure and build upon its services for our target users.

Natalie Theeuwes from KNMI presenting at the 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐄 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐗𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 during ESA's Living Planet Symposium.

UrbanAIR Project@urbanair· Jun 15

🛰️ Urban modelling in action! Our partner @unihannover.bsky.social completed UrbanAIR’s first test case using the PALM-4U model. 📍Antwerp 📅 2024 heatwave 🎯 Simulating how buildings & surfaces affect heat and air quality A key step toward helping cities plan with high-res, real-time insights