Smart Communities

A core research direction at IST focuses on improving the quality of life for local communities, ranging from neighborhoods to businesses and government institutions.

By leveraging cutting-edge data mining, machine learning, and interdisciplinary theory, we aim to empower community-based organizations and residents through innovative technologies and frameworks. Our work uncovers hidden patterns and knowledge about the dynamics of urban and rural communities, citizens, and institutions, enabling the design of more effective technical solutions. This research spans a variety of interconnected subfields, including community informatics, crisis informatics, geospatial computing, smart cities, socio-technical systems, and urban computing. Through these efforts, we strive to make community infrastructures smarter, more resilient, and more inclusive—ultimately advancing the well-being of people in diverse local contexts.