HEART Project Showcased at Medical Informatics Europe Congress 2025
From May 19th to 21st, 2025, the Medical Informatics Europe Congress took place in Glasgow, Scotland, under the theme “Intelligent Health Systems: From Technology to Data and Knowledge.” At this influential event, the HEART project team presented their breakthrough research on assessing the impact of urban blue-green spaces on human health and well-being.
The paper titled “Developing an Innovative Holistic Approach for Assessing the Impact of Urban Blue-Green Spaces on Human Health and Well-Being in the HEART Study” was formally accepted and published in the congress proceedings. This work highlights the project’s unique multidisciplinary methodology that integrates environmental, clinical, and technological data to better understand how blue-green infrastructure improves public health in European cities.
Multidimensional Data Integration for Health and Environment
HEART (Healthier Cities through Blue-Green Regenerative Technologies) is a Horizon2020 initiative focused on the cities of Aarhus, Athens, and Belgrade. The project developed a holistic framework combining four key dimensions:
- Individual health monitoring through clinical studies targeting cardiovascular, respiratory, mental, and metabolic conditions.
- Implementation and assessment of blue-green solutions (water and vegetation infrastructure) in urban spaces.
- Environmental monitoring using advanced in-situ sensors and satellite remote sensing.
- Community health evaluation with socio-economic and lifestyle data collection.
By enrolling participants across the three cities, HEART examined real-life health responses to blue-green space exposure using wearable devices and mobile apps. The data was processed with AI and machine learning techniques to reveal significant links between environmental factors like green cover and temperature reduction and improved health indicators.
Innovative ICT Toolbox for Real-Time Monitoring and Analysis
The project successfully deployed a state-of-the-art ICT toolbox, including:
This innovative system supports informed urban planning decisions that prioritize public health and well-being, promoting resilient and equitable green spaces.
- Mobile applications such as “HEART by BioAssist” to track physical activity, heart rate, and well-being.
- Wearable sensors capturing biosignals continuously during participants’ visits to blue-green spaces.
- Environmental sensors measuring air quality, noise, temperature, and other relevant factors.
- A comprehensive data management system enabling anonymized, secure collection and AI-driven analysis of multifaceted datasets.
Engaging Scientific and Public Audiences
Members of the IPHS and DRM project teams (Dragana Jovanović, Vesna Karadžić, Sanja Ivanković, Sanja Ilić Mijailović, and Tatjana Milošević) actively participated in the congress, presenting findings and exchanging knowledge with international experts. Paris Gallos, serving on the congress scientific committee, provided instrumental support in showcasing the project.
Additionally, Dragana Jovanović featured on Serbian national television during the Healthy Cities Day program, highlighting how the HEART project’s research informs healthier urban environments and supports policymaking in Serbia and beyond.
Impact and Future Directions
HEART emphasizes the vital connection between technology, health, and the environment. By adopting this holistic approach, urban planners, public health professionals, and decision-makers can comprehensively address health challenges, including social and economic determinants such as inequality and access to quality green spaces.
