Almost 100 advanced uRADMonitor® #AirQuality sensors (A3, Model CITY + the new METEO for #Weather ) are being deployed in Bistrița 🇷🇴 via the EU 🇪🇺 B-CONNECT project! Several Universities are part of the consortium for data analysis & #Research 🌬️📡

A part of the new sensors spread across the City

In 2021, the city of Bistrița took a pioneering step toward environmental sustainability by installing 18 multi-parameter uRADMonitor sensors as part of its “Zero Carbon City” initiative. The project focused on monitoring CO2 levels to reduce the city’s long-term carbon footprint, tracking air quality parameters like particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, ozone, and noise to assess health impacts, building a city-wide noise map, estimating traffic patterns, and promoting sustainable behaviours. Sensors, including the uRADMonitor® MODEL A3 and SMOGGIE®-CO2 models, were placed in high-traffic areas and schools such as Kindergarten No. 10 and Liviu Rebreanu College. Results showed real-time insights: CO2 levels rose during school hours but dropped with ventilation, noise decreased during holidays due to less traffic, and overall air quality improved, enhancing cognitive function in classrooms and enabling pollution warnings for vulnerable groups. This effort fostered community education and individual actions on transport and energy use, laying the groundwork for greener urban living: For more details, visit the project page.

A few of the new locations hosting uRADMonitor MODEL A3 sensors in 2026

Building on this success, Bistrița is now advancing with the B-CONNECT project, a flagship initiative under the European Urban Initiative (EUI) funded by the EU. Launched to transform Bistrița into a biophilic, resilient smart city, B-CONNECT – short for Bio-Centric Communities: Navigating Nature, Embracing Ecosystems, Championing Technology aims to connect people, places, and nature through nature-based solutions, sustainable mobility, cutting-edge digital tools, and community engagement. The scope includes enhancing air quality, climate resilience, and urban well-being via real-time environmental monitoring, tactical urbanism, and innovative green infrastructure. Key partners in the consortium include the Municipality of Bistrița, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (leading data analysis and research), the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) Cluj-Napoca, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), and others. With a timeline extending into 2026, the project pioneers bio-centric urbanism in Romania, integrating technology for evidence-based decisions. Learn more about B-CONNECT here.

Lot of uRADMonitor MODEL A3 sensors in white UV-resistant Shield enclosures for outdoor

At the heart of this new deployment are nearly 100 advanced uRADMonitor sensors, including the MODEL A3, MODEL CITY, and the brand-new MODEL METEO, all communicating via GSM for reliable data transmission.

  • The uRADMonitor MODEL A3 is a rugged, plug-and-play air quality station that monitors 10 key parameters: PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, ozone (0-10 ppm), formaldehyde (0-5 ppm), CO2 (400-5000 ppm), VOCs (10-1000 ppm), temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and noise (30-130 dB). It’s ideal for urban monitoring to detect health risks like respiratory issues.
  • The MODEL CITY, housed in a rainproof enclosure, offers professional-grade tracking of PM, ozone (0-1 ppm), NO2 (0-1 ppm), SO2 (0-1 ppm), CO (0-10 ppm), temperature, humidity, and pressure, supporting air quality index calculations and compliance with EU directives.
  • Complementing these, the MODEL METEO focuses on weather essentials: Temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOC), Noise level, Precipitation amount, Wind speed, Wind force, Wind direction, Solar illumination level, Solar irradiance all these aiding in climate resilience assessments. All models feature low-power designs and cloud integration for real-time insights.

Explore these sensors at the uRADMonitor shop.

The installation, covering about 50 locations for the MODEL A3 with GPS coordinates provided by the municipality and 15 combined sites for CITY and METEO units, is being expertly handled by EDS Profesional SRL that previously led sensor deployments in Cluj-Napoca’s URBREATH project, where they installed uRADMonitor devices across strategic city spots, demonstrating their adaptability in custom environmental tech projects. Their involvement ensures seamless integration and reliability in Bistrița’s challenging urban terrain. Here are some visuals of uRADMonitor sensor installations in Bistrița:

Various uRADMonitor sensors installed for B-CONNECT in Bistrita

In conclusion, this expanded uRADMonitor deployment under B-CONNECT promises significant utility: enhanced real-time data for air quality and weather will inform urban planning, reduce pollution-related health risks, and support research by partners like Babeș-Bolyai University or UTCN. By fostering a biophilic city, it will boost community resilience, sustainable mobility, and overall well-being, positioning Bistrița as a model for eco-friendly European urbanism. With data-driven insights, residents can expect cleaner air, smarter decisions, and a greener future improving their awareness and contribution to the community.