IN-HABIT promotes in Córdoba the first citizen science-based acoustic climate map, using the innovative “LoRaCetas”

Córdoba is taking the lead in urban sustainability with the implementation of “LoRaCetas“, an innovative and genuinely local system for monitoring environmental noise. This device, shaped like a flowerpot (commonly seen in Córdoba’s patios and streets) and packed with technology, enables citizens to actively participate in collecting data about the city’s acoustic environment as part of the European project IN-HABIT. 

The initiative stems from the FIWARE iHub at the University of Córdoba and the IN-HABIT project, reflecting our inclusive approach to health and wellbeing. Instead of merely focusing on generating environmental measurements for urban planning, the objective is to develop a collaborative map of the city’s acoustic climate (a living, participatory representation of how noise is perceived and distributed across neighbourhoods and areas). 

The “LoRaCeta” device (a blend of open communication technology based on LoRaWAN networks and local urban design) features sound sensors that transmit data through collaborative, cost-free networks. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a low-latency, low-power wireless communication technology specifically designed for connecting devices over long distances. This enables the installation of sensors without any expense to individuals, thereby democratising access to scientific participation and facilitating broader citizen contributions to scientific knowledge. 

These networks enable the “LoRaCetas” to operate autonomously and efficiently, while staying connected and synchronised in the backend to provide real-time data to the IN-HABIT platform. This transforms the IN-HABIT platform into a central hub of urban information, where acoustic data from throughout the city is collected, processed, and made available for further analysis. 

The entire system is managed through the IN-HABIT “powered by FIWARE” open platform, enabling both citizens and public authorities to access and utilise the data for analysis and decision-making, filtering the data by area, date, noise level, and more. 

This participatory model is reinforced through workshops where volunteers not only learn to assemble and operate the “LoRaCetas” but also reflect on their role in enhancing the quality of urban life. The high turnout and engagement in the initial events underscore the commitment of Córdoba’s citizens to building a more liveable and acoustically conscious city. 

The project aims not only to measure decibels but also to interpret how noise impacts everyday life (through a collective and technological reading of urban space) and to monitor both average and peak noise levels. This new sound map of Córdoba, co-created by citizens, university staff, technology developers, and the IN-HABIT project, will assist in identifying patterns, detecting critical zones, and shaping strategies to mitigate acoustic impact, with citizen well-being as the ultimate goal. 

Other cities, such as Nitra in Slovakia, have demonstrated their interest in replicating the initiative.