Smart Cities and U-space. Preparing for UAV operations in urban airspace

Beata Stelmach-Fita

doi:10.12775/bgss-2025-0037

Authors

Beata Stelmach-Fita Pedagogical University of Krakow https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7731-8779

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/bgss-2025-0037

Keywords

urban studies , smart city, urban airspace, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), drone transport services, autonomous flights, built-up areas

Abstract

This article presents the 4D Urban Area Model for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Risk Assessment – a framework designed to support the safe integration of drones in low-altitude urban airspace. The model builds on interoperable 3D city models, is in line with the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology and U-space regulations, and introduces a fourth dimension: time. Through a nationwide survey of Polish municipalities and consultations with Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) experts, the author identified population density and mobility data as essential for assessing drone-related risks. As a result, a 12-interval daily temporal layer was proposed to support dynamic risk zoning – initially with historical data on traffic density and ultimately, in the future, with real-time updates of this data and other obstacles via digital twins. ...

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Smart Cities and U-space. Preparing for UAV operations in urban airspace

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