In an increasingly digitalised Europe, where cities concentrate the majority of the population, the need for sustainability is also rising, as technological change is most intensely felt in urban environments. Digital systems now shape the development and daily life of cities, which are planned, managed, and experienced by citizens—from mobility and energy to services and infrastructure—while the demand for sustainable growth continues to increase.
Cities are no longer just becoming smarter; they are being asked to become more efficient, more resilient, and more responsible at the same time. The key challenge today is how to ensure that this transformation supports long-term environmental and social balance.
Follow this conversation with POLITEHNICA Bucharest Vice-Rector Ciprian Dobre, expert on digital innovation, to explore how this challenge can be addressed.
Digitalization as an enabler of sustainability
Urban areas concentrate the majority of Europe’s population. This creates a strong interdependence between digitalisation and sustainability. While digitalisation can improve resource efficiency and enhance decision-making, it also brings important challenges, including the environmental impact of digital infrastructure and rising energy demands. As Ciprian Dobre puts it:
Digitalisation is not inherently sustainable, it is a powerful tool, and its real value depends on governance.
Overall, digitalisation can support sustainability, but only when guided by responsible governance, thoughtful design, and a focus on real urban needs. However, it also comes with important trade-offs. The energy required to power digital infrastructures—such as data centres and cloud services—can undermine sustainability gains if it is not sourced from renewable energy. In addition, digital technologies rely on rare earth elements and complex supply chains, raising further environmental and resource challenges.
Human-centered and inclusive transitions
Digital transitions start with co-creation, with citizens involved in shaping solutions, rather than simply receiving them. That is why it requires inclusivity from the start, ensuring that digital services are accesible to all groups. As Cipria dobre points out:
If the transition is not human-centered, it simply won’t be sustainable in the long run.
Education, policy cooperation, and initiatives such as living labs and European university alliances further strengthen this approach by connecting technology with real societal needs and fostering collaboration between disciplines and communities.
Ciprian Dobre
Ciprian Dobre is Vice-Rector of POLITEHNICA Bucharest and Professor in Computer Science at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers. His work focuses on mobile computing, distributed systems, and digital innovation. He is also responsible for research and quality assurance at the university and teaches courses in communication protocols, cloud computing, and distributed algorithms, contributing to the training of future engineers and computer scientists. He is also an EELISA Voice.
