L’Hospitalet de Llobregat was facing increasing air quality problems, aggravated by urban density, heavy traffic, and logistic and industrial activities. Although it had several air quality monitoring stations (AQMS), detailed and localized environmental information, essential for identifying pollution hotspots and implementing climate adaptation strategies, was lacking. In addition, a new regulation required the creation and deployment of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

Adtel, a Spanish telecommunications company, won the tender to supply and install the technology components required for the full implementation of the LEZ in L’Hospitalet. To obtain accurate, real-time air quality data, Adtel collaborated with Bettair, deploying more than 40 IoT sensors throughout the city. These sensors generate real-time data on pollutants such as NO₂, NO, NOₓ, CO, O₃, SO₂ and H₂S in ppb, in addition to particulate matter in µg/m³ and ambient parameters such as temperature and humidity. The integration of this data into the city’s smart traffic system, via Bettair’s API, complements 20 other sensors in public buildings and spaces such as schools, strengthening comprehensive environmental monitoring.

Thanks to this comprehensive monitoring, the city was able to formulate well-informed policies that drive sustainability and urban resilience. Accurate data collection allowed to better understand the sources of pollution and define strategies to reduce it, improving the quality of life of the inhabitants and making L’ Hospitalet an example in urban environmental management.

Los sensores de Bettair ayudaron a detectar y reducir riesgos relacionados con la calidad del aire, permitiendo optimizar los planes de movilidad urbana y promoviendo la salud pública. La precisión de los datos facilitó también la aplicación efectiva de las zonas de bajas emisiones, disminuyendo las emisiones vehiculares y mejorando la salud ciudadana.

The city strengthened its networks of climate shelters and buffer spaces, increasing its resilience to adverse weather events. L’Hospitalet became a benchmark in integrating smart technology to improve air quality and in developing more sustainable and resilient urban management in the face of environmental challenges.