Smart Cities in Action: Field Trip to the Municipality of Kranj

Students from the Digital Marketing and Technology Management modules recently took part in a field trip to the Municipality of Kranj, one of Slovenia’s most innovative and forward-thinking cities in the area of smart city development.
Kranj was selected for the visit due to its active participation in the European Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. It has also been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the Golden Stone 2025 for the most progressive municipality, the title of European Destination of Excellence for sustainable tourism, recognition as the Safest City in Slovenia in 2022, and the Most E-Mobility-Friendly Municipality in 2021.
During the visit, students were introduced to various local innovations, including the CeKR card—an advanced tool that enables user identification and payments, with loyalty rewards soon to follow. The card can be used both online and offline via smartphone, reflecting the city’s commitment to digital integration.
This field trip, organised as part of the PKP project, offered students a valuable opportunity to see how technology is transforming local government operations. It also shed light on the real-world challenges of digital transformation and the essential role that expertise, vision, and motivation play in driving successful innovation.