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The expert’s view: How sensors are shaping the urban landscape of the future

Photo of cars in a crowded city street

During this year's popular science Framtidsdagarna ('Future Days') at Lund University on October 16–17, we had the chance to hear about crucial and decisive issues for the future. This year focused on future cities and 'The Future of Death.' Representing LUSEM, Markus Lahtinen, teacher and researcher at the Department of Informatics, gave a lecture. We took the opportunity to ask Markus why this research is so important.

Hello Markus Lahtinen, who lectured about 'Staden som ett framväxande sensorlandskap’ ('The City as an Emerging Sensor Landscape') during Framtidsdagarna at Lund University.

Why is it important to research cities and sensors?

My expertise mainly revolves around video surveillance, but when I was asked to contribute something about future cities, I thought it would be better to broaden the focus beyond cameras and look at sensors in a wider sense. Our surroundings are becoming increasingly connected, not just with cameras. This development is driven by technology becoming cheaper and more advanced. Naturally, this is a trend that researchers should be interested in—from a variety of perspectives.

What are the biggest challenges regarding privacy and security with the increasing use of sensor technology in cities?

Technological development is hard to stop. Nor is it usually desirable to stop it, especially as it primarily makes our daily lives more convenient and productive. This has been going on for decades. But, of course, it brings risks of various kinds. Large companies often have a significant information advantage over us as consumers—we know there is public concern about this kind of data collection. But there can also be darker forces, like cybercriminals, who exploit this increasingly digital and sensor-driven daily life.


Framtidsdagarna ('Future Days') at Lund University takes place every October at the Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art ('Skissernas museum'), showcasing the University's diversity with lectures, panel discussions, and events across a wide range of topics around one or more themes. The entire program is interdisciplinary and developed by a program committee representing all the university's faculties.

Framtidsdagarna 2024 – lu.se