Image by Andrei kokelburg, CC BY-SA 3.0 RO, via Wikimedia Commons

In the heart of Romania, the municipality of Târgu Secuiesc is proving that digital transformation isn’t just for large metropolitan areas. With a population of just under 20,000, this small city has embraced digital tools not simply as a matter of modernisation, but as a means to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and connected community.

“For us as a Municipality, digital transformation is not only about information technology, it’s about people, community, and building a smarter, greener, and more inclusive future,” says Szabolcs Szilveszter (phD), Deputy Mayor of the Romanian municipality. “Târgu Secuiesc believes that digital transformation is the key to sustainable growth and better public services.”

Through the Living-in.EU initiative, Târgu Secuiesc is committed to sharing its journey, learning from others, and ensuring that no one (citizen or city) is left behind in the digital age.

Smart public services for a healthier city

Târgu Secuiesc has installed air quality monitoring equipment across the city to track pollution levels in real time. The data is continuously collected and displayed on a dedicated page on the municipal website, where residents can check current air quality indicators, including PM10 and PM2.5 levels. The platform also calculates and updates the Air Quality Index (AQI), using color-coded visuals to make the information easy to understand.

By making this data openly available, the city is aligning local priorities with broader EU goals around sustainability and climate action. It’s a simple yet powerful example of how digital tools can empower citizens and create accountability.

Streamlining services for citizens

Târgu Secuiesc has also taken significant steps to modernise public administration and make services more accessible online. Residents can pay local taxes and fees digitally through Romania’s national e-governance portal. This user-friendly system eliminates the need for in-person queues and paperwork.

But beyond payment systems, the city has developed a problem-reporting platform that allows residents to report issues such as potholes, broken streetlights, or public disturbances directly to the administration. Once submitted, each report is assigned a registration number, and users can track the progress of their issue—from the moment it is logged to the point it is resolved.  Currently, around 2,384 residents—approximately 13% of the population—are registered users of the platform.

Another tool empowering residents is the participatory budgeting platform, where citizens can propose local improvement projects and vote on which ideas should receive public funding. This digital process encourages civic involvement, gives voice to community priorities, and helps the city allocate resources in a way that reflects the needs of its people.

Digital tools for culture and tourism

Recognising the importance of culture and tourism for its local economy and identity, the city has also launched a digital guide through the Smart Guide platform. This web-based and mobile application offers curated walking tours and detailed information on the city’s most important tourist attractions. Designed for both residents and visitors, the app makes it easy to explore the city independently, while learning about its heritage.

Alongside these efforts, the municipality has also introduced several smart infrastructure initiatives. With government investment, 1,100 old street lamps were replaced with LED heads equipped with remote-management systems, enabling centralised control and real-time adjustments through platforms such as InteliLIGHT and Schréder EXEDRA. Using EU funds from Romania’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, the city upgraded 20 waste collection islands—covering about 75% of the total—with digital eco-islands that feature secure access, monitoring systems, and apps for both citizens and authorities. Most recently, Târgu Secuiesc implemented adaptive traffic signal control (ATSC) with sensing cameras at its busiest four-lane crossing. The system, managed through a central dashboard, shortens waiting times, improves pedestrian safety, reduces emissions, and provides valuable data for long-term traffic planning. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how even a small city can harness technology to improve daily life and prepare for the future.

Laying the foundation for a digital twin

Târgu Secuiesc is also investing in geospatial technology through its custom-built KezdiGIS platform. This online mapping system integrates multiple datasets and presents them in clear, interactive maps for both public and professional use.

For example, citizens can easily search for addresses using a high-resolution orthophoto interface—aerial imagery that provides real-world context for buildings and streets. The platform also includes a green space inventory, offering detailed information about public parks, lawns, and other ecological areas. In addition, a tree database maps out the species and condition of trees located in public spaces—valuable data for urban ecology planning, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.

Another layer of KezdiGIS includes a historical map archive, allowing users to explore how the city has evolved over time. This feature is especially valuable for researchers, educators, and anyone interested in the city's historical development.

Together, these tools lay the groundwork for what could evolve into a digital twin, a virtual representation of the city that supports planning, forecasting, and real-time decision-making.

Sharing and learning through Living-in.EU

Târgu Secuiesc’s digital transformation is not taking place in isolation. The city has recently joined the Living-in.EU movement, seeking collaboration with other European cities and regions that are working on their digital transformation. This collective effort allows cities to share knowledge, co-develop scalable solutions, and accelerate progress especially for smaller municipalities that may face capacity challenges but have the will to innovate.

“We want to collaborate with other cities and regions through the Living-in.EU initiative: to share knowledge, adopt innovative solutions, exchange good practices, and ensure no one is left behind in the digital age,” says Szilveszter. “Together, we can implement smart solutions, improve the quality of life for all our citizens, and make the digital decade a success for Europe!”

Challenges and impacts of digitalisation

Despite its progress, the city has faced several challenges, including the lack of a national legislative framework, underdeveloped ICT infrastructure, limited cloud-based services, and gaps in digital skills among staff and citizens. These hurdles have required the municipality to be creative, resourceful, and proactive in finding solutions.

Nevertheless, residents have responded positively to the new digital tools. Access to real-time information, such as air quality monitoring or progress tracking on reported issues, has boosted public trust and engagement with the municipality.

The measurable impacts are already visible. For instance, smart street lighting has generated energy savings, while digital waste bins—now covering around 75% of the city’s waste collection islands—have optimised waste collection routes and reduced carbon emissions.

Preparing for the next steps

To prepare staff and citizens for digital adoption, the municipality is implementing an E-Governance project that includes upskilling local staff and increasing digital literacy across the administration. With the financial support of the EU-funded Central Region Programme 2021–2027, the project will establish integrated e-government platforms, improve access to data and documents, and deploy AI-driven linguistic technologies.

Additional priorities include smart energy and resource monitoring, electronic signatures, and advanced document management systems. These steps are expected to enhance operational efficiency, increase transparency, and strengthen citizen participation.