Providing complete subsurface information of the urban areas

Project Information

WIDMO Cities

Grant agreement ID: 190178979

DOI

10.3030/190178979

Project closed

EC signature date 20 November 2023

Start date 1 July 2023

End date 30 September 2025

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 950 625,00

EU contribution

€ 2 065 437,00

Coordinated by

WIDMO SPECTRAL TECHNOLOGIES SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - WIDMO Cities (Providing complete subsurface information of the urban areas)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

European cities are facing growing challenges caused by aging underground infrastructure, limited space for new development, and the increasing impacts of climate change. Construction and maintenance projects often suffer from delays, safety risks, and extra costs due to a lack of reliable information about subsurface conditions. Existing underground maps are typically outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent across sectors.

The Widmo Cities project aimed to address this gap by adapting advanced Spectral Ground Penetrating Radar (SGPR) technology for use in complex urban environments. The project’s goal was to demonstrate how non-invasive, high-resolution subsurface imaging can support safer construction, better infrastructure management, and improved urban resilience.

Through technology adaptation, pilot testing, and preparation for commercial deployment, the project enabled cities and infrastructure operators to access detailed underground information more efficiently. The results contribute to reducing excavation risks, improving planning accuracy, and supporting sustainable, data-driven urban development across Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Throughout the project, WIDMO Cities focused on adapting and validating its subsurface-imaging technology for application in complex urban environments. The work included improving system design, data-processing workflows, and integration into a cloud-based processing workflow designed for future scaling.

Field campaigns were carried out in different European settings to test performance under varied geological and infrastructural conditions. The results confirmed that the system can deliver reliable, non-invasive subsurface information suitable for urban planning and infrastructure management.

By the end of the project, the technology reached full operational maturity and demonstrated its potential to support safer, more efficient, and sustainable city development.Throughout the project, Widmo Cities focused on adapting and validating its subsurface-imaging technology for application in complex urban environments. The work included improving system design, data-processing workflows, and integration into a scalable digital platform.

Field campaigns were carried out in different European settings to test performance under varied geological and infrastructural conditions. The results confirmed that the system can deliver reliable, non-invasive subsurface information suitable for urban planning and infrastructure management.

By the end of the project, the technology reached full operational maturity and demonstrated its potential to support safer, more efficient, and sustainable city development.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The WIDMO Cities project advanced subsurface-imaging methods beyond current practice by adapting high-resolution radar technology and integrating it with automated digital workflows tailored to urban needs. The resulting system combines non-invasive field measurements with data processing and interpretation tools that make underground information more accessible and actionable for planners and engineers.

Compared to conventional approaches, the solution provides faster, safer, and more comprehensive assessment of subsurface conditions, supporting decisions throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

The project demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale urban deployment and created the foundation for future commercial services. Further uptake will depend on continued validation with end-users, integration into municipal planning systems, and access to financing for scaling and international expansion.