Digital Race: How Zaprešić and Koprivnica are Becoming Smart Cities?

Imagine a city where everything works as it should – traffic flows without congestion, street lighting adjusts to real needs, and municipal services are faster and more efficient thanks to technology. In Croatia, two cities are seriously working to make this not just a vision but a reality – Koprivnica and Zaprešić. Leading these changes are mayors Mišel Jakšić and Željko Turk, each with their own approach to digitization and modernization. But who is better leading their city into the future?

Koprivnica: Leader in Sustainable Development and Smart Solutions

The city of Koprivnica, under the leadership of Mayor Mišel Jakšić, continuously invests in projects that rank it among the most innovative local communities at the European level. The city is recognized as a leader in sustainable development and an example of innovative practices, as confirmed by the recognition from the World Council on City Data, which has included Koprivnica among only seven European cities with ISO certification 37120, an indicator of quality of life in smart cities.

One of the prominent projects is the modernization of sports facilities. The city has managed to build a functional and technologically equipped playground in the center of Koprivnica in a short time, which was recognized with the ‘Smart Sport’ award. Mayor Jakšić emphasized the importance of such projects that promote originality and contribute to the quality of life of citizens.

Zaprešić: Smart City Strategy for a Better Future

The city of Zaprešić, under the leadership of Mayor Željko Turk, has also recognized the importance of implementing smart solutions. The city has developed a Smart City Development Strategy for the period from 2021 to 2026, aimed at facilitating life for citizens through digitization and innovations.

One of the key projects is monitoring air quality in the city. By introducing sensors to measure air quality, Zaprešić ensures a healthier and better quality of life for its residents. Additionally, plans are in place to install traffic monitoring cameras and two cameras for detecting traffic violations, which will enhance safety and traffic flow.

The city is also working on branding and creating a recognizable identity through the campaign ‘Your Story. Our Story. One Story of Zaprešić.’, which involves citizens and visitors in creating a new narrative about Zaprešić.

Joint Efforts for a Smart Future

You can hear about smart cities, as well as the latest initiatives and their implementation in the daily lives of citizens at the 11th Lider Conference on Smart Cities, which will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb.

Numerous mayors and experts will attend the conference, including mayors Mišel Jakšić and Željko Turk. Join us while there is still space and find out how cities are adapting to the needs of their citizens regarding housing solutions, as well as many other current challenges.