Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SAFE-CITIES (riSk-based Approach For the protEction of public spaces in European CITIES)
Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-06-30
In recent decades, Europe has experienced several terrorist attacks, proving this threat remains real and serious. Meanwhile, perpetrators are finding new ways to circumvent current security measures. Although such attacks have been relatively rare, EU citizens may still suddenly find themselves caught up in a terrorist incident while at a stadium, shopping in a mall, commuting, or in any other public space. Furthermore, terrorist attacks are associated with lower levels of life satisfaction and happiness among the population. Indeed, one in five people in the EU are worried about a terrorist attack in the next 12 months. Terrorist attacks also reduce citizens’ trust in their fellow citizens and in political, legal and police institutions.
SAFE-CITIES promotes excellence in protecting public spaces by delivering and demonstrating a security and vulnerability assessment framework, supported by a decision-making platform to help implement it, in 4 use cases across 5 EU countries. This allows complex scenarios, crowd behaviour and attacks to be simulated in a realistic virtual environment. This enables end users to perform comprehensive and dynamic risk and vulnerability assessments of the site, identify potential vulnerabilities against threats, and support the full engagement and cooperation of public and private actors - including citizens - in the development of strategies to secure public spaces while preserving their open nature.
The consortium comprises 17 partners from 9 countries (Italy, Cyprus, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, UK, Belgium, Finland and Slovenia), including local authorities, police forces, first responders, RTOs, academia, CSOs, security industry cluster associations, and high-tech SMEs specialising in security.
SAFE-CITIES promotes excellence in protecting public spaces by delivering and demonstrating a security and vulnerability assessment framework, supported by a decision-making platform to help implement it, in 4 use cases across 5 EU countries. This allows complex scenarios, crowd behaviour and attacks to be simulated in a realistic virtual environment. This enables end users to perform comprehensive and dynamic risk and vulnerability assessments of the site, identify potential vulnerabilities against threats, and support the full engagement and cooperation of public and private actors - including citizens - in the development of strategies to secure public spaces while preserving their open nature.
The consortium comprises 17 partners from 9 countries (Italy, Cyprus, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, UK, Belgium, Finland and Slovenia), including local authorities, police forces, first responders, RTOs, academia, CSOs, security industry cluster associations, and high-tech SMEs specialising in security.
WP2 SAFE-CITIES Security and Vulnerability Analysis Framework
- Delivered the final SAFE-CITIES SVA framework for urban public spaces, integrating citizen participation via Local Citizen Networks and the SAFE-CITIES Participatory Model.
- Piloted and validated the framework in Gorizia-Nova Gorica and Larnaca with local stakeholders.
- Linked SVA outputs to SERVE and SBS for operational use.
- Integrated security-by-design guidelines into the "ATLAS 4 SAFE public spaces design" and training curricula.
- Assessed public-private cooperation for public space protection.
- Analysed C-UAS threats, including 4G/5G-based risks.
- Provided risk indicators, metrics, and threat typologies for integration into simulation environments.
WP3 SAFE-CITIES Security Management Framework/Platform Backbone
- Designed and implemented the ML/AI Workbench for risk assessment, scenario evaluation, and decision support.
- Developed crowd behaviour models and profiles for various public events.
- Created an LLM-enhanced chatbot using RAG for scenario guidance.
- Integrated dynamic dashboards for real-time insights and monitoring.
- Implemented profile blueprints and wizards for low-code platform configuration.
- Finalised MLOps pipelines for smooth module integration.
- Enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration through a unified data-driven framework.
WP4 Continuous Development, Integration and Testing
- Fully integrated all modules.
- Delivered Alpha and Beta versions, demonstrated in Eindhoven and Nova Gorica.
- Organised hackathons/workshops for testing and feedback.
- Developed immersive digital twins.
- Deployed 4 training modules and participatory sessions for LEAs and public authorities.
WP5 Real Try-outs
- Executed the final demonstration at GO!2025.
- Validated the platform in realistic threat scenarios with LEAs and private security.
- Collected extensive user feedback, refining features and interfaces.
- Provided real-world evidence supporting exploitation and market uptake.
- Delivered the final SAFE-CITIES SVA framework for urban public spaces, integrating citizen participation via Local Citizen Networks and the SAFE-CITIES Participatory Model.
- Piloted and validated the framework in Gorizia-Nova Gorica and Larnaca with local stakeholders.
- Linked SVA outputs to SERVE and SBS for operational use.
- Integrated security-by-design guidelines into the "ATLAS 4 SAFE public spaces design" and training curricula.
- Assessed public-private cooperation for public space protection.
- Analysed C-UAS threats, including 4G/5G-based risks.
- Provided risk indicators, metrics, and threat typologies for integration into simulation environments.
WP3 SAFE-CITIES Security Management Framework/Platform Backbone
- Designed and implemented the ML/AI Workbench for risk assessment, scenario evaluation, and decision support.
- Developed crowd behaviour models and profiles for various public events.
- Created an LLM-enhanced chatbot using RAG for scenario guidance.
- Integrated dynamic dashboards for real-time insights and monitoring.
- Implemented profile blueprints and wizards for low-code platform configuration.
- Finalised MLOps pipelines for smooth module integration.
- Enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration through a unified data-driven framework.
WP4 Continuous Development, Integration and Testing
- Fully integrated all modules.
- Delivered Alpha and Beta versions, demonstrated in Eindhoven and Nova Gorica.
- Organised hackathons/workshops for testing and feedback.
- Developed immersive digital twins.
- Deployed 4 training modules and participatory sessions for LEAs and public authorities.
WP5 Real Try-outs
- Executed the final demonstration at GO!2025.
- Validated the platform in realistic threat scenarios with LEAs and private security.
- Collected extensive user feedback, refining features and interfaces.
- Provided real-world evidence supporting exploitation and market uptake.
Overview of the Results
KERs:
- SBS: simulation and training tool enabling scenario authoring, crowd behaviour modelling, and impact assessment to improve preparedness and cooperation.
- SERVE: static vulnerability assessment tool for rapid evaluation of public space security exposure, supporting structured planning.
- SAFE-CITIES Integrated Platform: integrating all modules (SERVE, SBS, S&D) to fully implement the SVA framework.
Additional results:
- AI Workbench: ML-enabled analytics, crowd profiling, predictive dashboards, and an LLM chatbot for enhanced decision support.
- Training modules: 4 dedicated courses for LEAs, public authorities, and urban planners.
- Participatory methodologies: models engaging citizens and stakeholders in co-designing safer spaces.
- ATLAS 4 SAFE security-by-design guidelines for urban planning.
- Demonstration success: validated at GO!2025 and Paaspop, with strong LEA and public authority engagement.
Potential impacts
- Improved vulnerability assessments: validated SVA framework enabling integrated risk assessment.
- Better identification and mitigation: SBS and SERVE allow rapid vulnerability assessment and testing of security measures.
- Enhanced training: workshops, hackathons, and courses improving multi-actor preparedness.
- Proactive security-by-design: planners can simulate design choices in realistic scenarios.
- Advanced modelling: AI/ML tools improve scenario realism and planning.
Further uptake needs
- Extended scenario libraries, validation in diverse urban contexts, and co-developed pilots with LEAs and municipalities.
- Access to public procurement, innovation funding, and digital twin programmes.
- Finalisation of IPR strategies, licensing models, and potential JV.
- Alignment with AI Act, GDPR, and engagement with standardisation bodies to ensure market adoption.
KERs:
- SBS: simulation and training tool enabling scenario authoring, crowd behaviour modelling, and impact assessment to improve preparedness and cooperation.
- SERVE: static vulnerability assessment tool for rapid evaluation of public space security exposure, supporting structured planning.
- SAFE-CITIES Integrated Platform: integrating all modules (SERVE, SBS, S&D) to fully implement the SVA framework.
Additional results:
- AI Workbench: ML-enabled analytics, crowd profiling, predictive dashboards, and an LLM chatbot for enhanced decision support.
- Training modules: 4 dedicated courses for LEAs, public authorities, and urban planners.
- Participatory methodologies: models engaging citizens and stakeholders in co-designing safer spaces.
- ATLAS 4 SAFE security-by-design guidelines for urban planning.
- Demonstration success: validated at GO!2025 and Paaspop, with strong LEA and public authority engagement.
Potential impacts
- Improved vulnerability assessments: validated SVA framework enabling integrated risk assessment.
- Better identification and mitigation: SBS and SERVE allow rapid vulnerability assessment and testing of security measures.
- Enhanced training: workshops, hackathons, and courses improving multi-actor preparedness.
- Proactive security-by-design: planners can simulate design choices in realistic scenarios.
- Advanced modelling: AI/ML tools improve scenario realism and planning.
Further uptake needs
- Extended scenario libraries, validation in diverse urban contexts, and co-developed pilots with LEAs and municipalities.
- Access to public procurement, innovation funding, and digital twin programmes.
- Finalisation of IPR strategies, licensing models, and potential JV.
- Alignment with AI Act, GDPR, and engagement with standardisation bodies to ensure market adoption.