Cities across Europe are increasingly turning to satellite Earth Observation (EO) data and derived analytics to better understand and respond to urban challenges. From monitoring green cover, flood risk and urban heat to assessing air quality and tracking progress towards climate commitments, EO data is opening up new possibilities for local governments.
For many cities, however, the question remains: where do we start?
The Stakeholder Engagement Facility (SEF), a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), supports cities and local governments in understanding and adopting Earth Observation tools and services, including both publicly available and commercial solutions.
Acting as a neutral broker, SEF helps cities identify the solutions that are most relevant to their needs, connects them with service providers, and showcases successful applications that can inspire wider adoption.
SEF wants to hear from cities
SEF is currently expanding its network of city contacts and is inviting local authorities to share their experiences and needs.
If your city is already using satellite data, the team would like to learn more about your experience and the challenges you are addressing. If Earth Observation is new to your city, SEF can help you explore how available data, tools and services could support your priorities.
The initiative is particularly interested in understanding cities’ needs, sharing relevant solutions and potentially showcasing city use cases at upcoming events, including the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.
Take the two-minute survey
To better understand where cities are in their Earth Observation journey, SEF has launched a short survey covering current uses of satellite data and the urban challenges cities are most focused on.
The results will help shape how SEF supports and engages with cities in the future.
Cities interested in finding out more can also explore SEF’s city-specific use cases, tools and catalogue of Earth Observation services through its Urban Areas resources.
For direct enquiries, contact the SEF team at esa-sef@evenflow.eu.