Air pollution and mortality in European regions and cities: the effects of smart cities projects

In recent years, urban sustainability initiatives have gained increasing attention as regions and cities seek to mitigate environmental degradation and improve public health. In this paper, we assess the potential impact of Smart City projects on the evolution of air pollutant concentration, such as particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and ozone (O₃), across European cities, and considering the existing connection between the concentration of these specific air pollutants and mortality. To do so, we build a rich panel dataset over the 2013–2022 period, merging information on air pollution and mortality at the level of 483 NUTS-3 regions and 597 large cities in Europe, with information on projects implemented across these cities. By comparing the differential evolution in cities where smart projects were implemented vs other cities, we identify whether the adoption of these projects led to measurable reductions in air pollution. Our findings aim to contribute to the growing dialogue on sustainable cities by i) studying the co-evolution on the concentration of air pollutants and mortality in European regions and cities over the last years, and ii) assessing the effectiveness of EU Smart City projects in reducing air pollution and enhancing public health.