Αξιολόγηση των δεικτών ESG στην στρατηγική βιωσιμότητας των ευρωπαϊκών έξυπνων πόλεων

Πρόκος, Παναγιώτης

Assessment of ESG indicators in the sustainability strategy of European smart cities

Master Thesis

Author

Πρόκος, Παναγιώτης

Date

2026-07

Abstract

This study explores how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators can be integrated into the strategic sustainability planning of European smart cities, with the aim of conceptually developing a Digital Twin of urban sustainability. The starting point is the observation that the existing literature is highly fragmented, as there is no comprehensive framework that systematically links the three ESG dimensions with urban subsystems through digital tools. To achieve the study’s objective, the systematic literature review methodology based on the PRISMA protocol was selected. Studies were searched for across four academic databases, resulting in the final selection of thirty-two studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Based on the review’s findings, a conceptual model of a digital twin comprising five interconnected subsystems (energy, transportation, water supply, digital infrastructure, governance) was developed, which incorporates nineteen ESG parameters on a 0 to 100 rating scale. Applying the model to Helsinki yielded an overall ESG Score of 74.6/100, with the strongest performance in the Governance dimension and a relative lag in the Environmental dimension, mainly due to the challenges of the energy transition. In addition, the application of the same model to Athens as a second case study yielded an overall ESG Score of 58.1/100, revealing a 16.5-point gap relative to Helsinki that reflects the reality of a “two-speed Europe” in sustainable urban development. The comparative assessment of the two cities confirmed the methodological robustness and generalizability of the model, while also demonstrating that Athens is in a pre-transitional phase, with clear potential for transitioning towards sustainability through targeted interventions. The study demonstrates that the integration of ESG indicators into a digital twin architecture is theoretically sound and feasible, provided it is treated as a conceptual tool for synthesis rather than an automatic technological solution. The quality of urban governance emerges as the most critical factor in achieving sustainability across all ESG dimensions.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Ψηφιακός Πολιτισμός, Έξυπνες Πόλεις, IoT και Προηγμένες Ψηφιακές Τεχνολογίες

Department

Σχολή Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών. Τμήμα Πληροφορικής

Number of pages

Language

Greek

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19732

Collections

Τμήμα Πληροφορικής

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα