Powietrze Kraków is an integrated air quality monitoring system designed for the residents and visitors of the city. It combines a network of municipal sensors, an analytical platform, and an intuitive mobile application (Android/iOS) into a single environment. Thanks to real-time data synchronization, users receive precise information about pollution levels, weather forecasts, and recommendations regarding safe outdoor activities.
Industry
Ecology and Smart City
Type of activity
Kraków City Hall
Implementation and support
2023
Technologies
React Native
Node.js
Python (data processing)
API Integration (GIOŚ / Airly)
About project
Powietrze Kraków 2.0 is a mobile application created for conscious users who wish to monitor and actively participate in improving air quality in Krakow.
The application offers comprehensive information on the current air quality, both for the city in general and from specific measurement stations, allowing for the personalization of monitored areas.
Our role
Mobile application
(iOS / Android)
UX/UI design
Key functionalities
- Real-time air quality monitoring – presentation of current PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations on an interactive city map.
- Intuitive color system (CAQI) – a visual assessment of air quality in accordance with European standards, allowing for an instantaneous reading of the threat level.
- Suggested preventive activities – personalized recommendations regarding sports or ventilating rooms, tailored to current atmospheric conditions.
- Smog push notification system – automatic alerts for residents regarding exceeded limits and official city hall announcements (e.g., concerning free public transport).
- Incident reporting (Eco-intervention) – a dedicated module enabling the submission of reports regarding suspected waste burning or illegal emissions directly to the relevant authorities.
- Integration with multiple sensor networks – aggregation of data from official GIOŚ stations as well as a dense network of private sensors (e.g., Airly).
- Knowledge base and environmental education – an extensive information panel regarding sources of pollution and the impact of smog on residents’ health.
- Air quality forecast – interactive charts predicting changes in atmospheric conditions for the next 24 hours based on meteorological data.
100 %
CITY AREA
COVERAGE
20 +
REAL-TIME MONITORING STATIONS
Project challenges
1
Translating complex chemical indicators into simple and intuitive „user benefit” language.
One of the main challenges was designing an interface (UI/UX) that does not overwhelm the user with technical terms (e.g., $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in µg/m³). Instead, we focused on clear, color-coded indicators and personalized health advice (e.g., „Ventilating the apartment not recommended,” „Good time for outdoor training”). This required close cooperation with environmental experts to create a system that is simple, yet scientifically accurate.
2
Building a reliable system of intelligent push notifications for exceeded air quality standards.
The second major challenge was designing a notification engine that operates precisely and without delays. The system must monitor exceeded standards for user-defined locations and send alerts only when relevant (e.g., a sudden increase in smog in the morning). Backend optimization allowed for the simultaneous delivery of thousands of personalized push notifications within seconds, which is crucial in emergency situations.
Key benefits
For the system user
- Intuitive access to real-time air quality data. Residents of Krakow have gained a tool that allows them to instantly check the state of the environment before leaving home. Thanks to clear indicators and a smog map, users can consciously plan outdoor activities, taking care of their health.
- Personalized notifications and health recommendations. The system not only informs about particulate matter concentrations but also sends intelligent notifications when standards are exceeded. Additionally, the application provides specific advice, such as recommendations to limit room ventilation or avoid physical exertion on days with high pollution levels.
For the system owner
- Building environmental awareness and resident trust. The implementation of a professional mobile application allowed the city to establish transparent communication with the community. Powietrze Kraków has become an official and credible source of information, significantly increasing the level of environmental education among residents.
- Optimization of environmental data collection and analysis. Thanks to modern IT architecture from Sysmo.pl, the system integrates data from multiple monitoring stations into a single panel. This allows for more efficient resource management, analysis of historical trends, and rapid response to public health threats.
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