Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Preprints
The Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Preprints section serves as a platform for researchers to share their preliminary findings and innovative ideas in the fields of smart cities and regional development. By publishing preprints, authors can disseminate their work promptly, inviting constructive feedback from the academic community and practitioners. This process facilitates the refinement of research prior to formal peer-reviewed publication, fostering collaboration and accelerating the advancement of knowledge in these dynamic areas.
CURRENT LEGAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE RIGHT TO LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
The right to life is the most fundamental human right, enshrined in both international treaties and national constitutions. This paper explores the current legal challenges and ethical implications surrounding this right, analyzing how it is protected and interpreted in the European context. The study addresses controversial issues such as abortion, euthanasia, organ transplantation, and the death penalty, with comparative insights from Romania, Poland, and the United States. The section on abortion highlights the restrictive Polish legislation and contrasts it with the more permissive Romanian framework, illustrating how different legal and cultural environments influence the recognition of women’s rights. The research also examines euthanasia and assisted suicide, drawing attention to the tensions between the individual’s autonomy and the state’s duty to preserve life. Moreover, the legal and ethical dimensions of organ transplantation are investigated, especially regarding informed consent and equitable access. One of the key contributions of the paper is the discussion of artificial intelligence in medicine, emphasizing its transformative role in diagnostics and treatment, while also questioning accountability and data protection. The study further reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the moral dilemmas raised by limited medical resources, prioritization of care, and access to treatment. By using a qualitative approach and legal analysis, the paper offers a comprehensive understanding of how the right to life is challenged and protected in today’s dynamic social, legal, and technological environment. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to the academic and policy debate on the future of human rights protection in the EU, providing both legal insights and policy recommendations for strengthening the legal framework surrounding the right to life.
Copyright (c) 2025 Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Preprints
THE TRANSITION TO A PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
This paper addresses the urgent need for constitutional reform in Romania, with a specific emphasis on the potential transition from a semi-presidential to a fully presidential system. The study provides a critical examination of the 2003 constitutional revision and its limited success in resolving systemic ambiguities. Despite its goal to prepare Romania for EU and NATO integration, the 2003 reform failed to eliminate legal inconsistencies and institutional conflicts, particularly regarding the balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. Drawing from post-2003 political and constitutional developments, this research analyzes structural dysfunctions such as executive-legislative deadlocks, overlapping roles, and interpretative disputes that continue to hinder political stability. Methodologically, the paper adopts a qualitative approach, incorporating case analysis of constitutional crises, legislative proposals, and decisions of the Constitutional Court. The results indicate that the current hybrid model has led to repeated institutional blockages and public dissatisfaction, fueled by power struggles and legal uncertainties. The paper suggests that a presidential system—based on examples such as the United States—could ensure clearer executive authority, enhance government accountability, and reduce the risk of cohabitation conflicts. The implications of such a transition are relevant for policymakers, legal scholars, and public administration specialists, especially in the context of Romania’s ongoing democratic consolidation. The study brings value by providing a systematic legal and political analysis of the Romanian constitutional framework, highlighting the necessity of a well-designed constitutional overhaul. This research contributes to the broader debate on modern governance, offering a forward-looking perspective rooted in institutional clarity, separation of powers, and democratic resilience.
AI in cybersecurity – how do we handle cybersecurity reports and triage them with LLMs
The integration of large language models (LLMs) into cybersecurity operations represents a significant shift in how threats are detected, categorized, and mitigated. This paper aims to explore the application of LLMs in automating the triage process of cybersecurity incident reports, with a focus on real-world implementation within Hackout.ro, a Romanian civic platform designed to crowdsource and process user-submitted reports of phishing, fake news, AI-generated content, and other digital threats. Building on prior work in AI-assisted threat intelligence and natural language processing for security applications, this study positions LLMs not only as tools for efficiency but also as agents of digital empowerment for non-technical users. Using a case study approach, we analyze workflows where user-submitted content is automatically classified, prioritized, and, in certain cases, responded to in real time. Additional tools enable non-expert users to test and secure their applications using AI-assisted guidance. Our findings demonstrate that LLMs can significantly reduce response time, enhance classification accuracy, and facilitate proactive defense strategies. However, the dual-use nature of AI is also evident, as malicious actors increasingly exploit the same technologies for sophisticated attacks.The implications of this research are far-reaching: security practitioners gain new tools for automation, educators can incorporate AI literacy into digital resilience programs, and policymakers must rethink regulatory frameworks for AI in cybersecurity. The key contribution of this paper is a detailed, practice-based insight into how LLMs are currently operationalized in cyber defense workflows, highlighting both opportunities and limitations. By presenting a balanced and empirically grounded perspective, the study supports a more ethical, efficient, and inclusive approach to cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security
Without substantial automation, individuals cannot manage the complexity of operations and the scale of information to be utilized to secure cyberspace. Nonetheless, technology and software with traditional fixed implementations are difficult to build (hardwired decision-making logic) in order to successfully safeguard against security threats. This condition can be dealt with using machine simplicity and learning methods in AI. This paper provides a concise overview of AI implementations of various cybersecurity using artificial technologies and evaluates the prospects for expanding the cybersecurity capabilities by enhancing the defence mechanism. We may infer that valuable applications already exist after the review of current artificial intelligence software on cybersecurity. First of all, they are used to protect the periphery and many other cybersecurity areas with neural networks. On the other hand, it was clear that certain cybersecurity problems would only be overcome efficiently if artificial intelligence approaches are deployed. In strategic decision making, for example, comprehensive information is important, and logical decision assistance is one of the still unanswered cybersecurity issues
From threat to response: The evolution of cybersecurity in Albania
As Albania's digital landscape expands, its vulnerability to sophisticated cyber threats increases correspondingly. This study explores the evolution of Albania's cybersecurity strategies, tracing the shift from reactive measures to a proactive defence approach. It critically examines significant cyber incidents that have shaped the national cybersecurity landscape, assessing how these have influenced the development of Albania's current cyber defence strategies. The focus is on how Albania has tailored its strategic responses to enhance digital resilience and national security. In the second part, the paper provides an in-depth review of the threat models prevalent in the Western Balkans and Albania, highlighting key areas where Albania's cyber management requires further development. One key recommendation is the forecasting of cyber-attacks, which could benefit from the application of time-series and machine learning techniques to enhance predictive capabilities. This approach emphasizes the importance of adapting to emerging threats and fostering international cooperation to bolster Albania's cybersecurity infrastructure.
E-Government System in Albania: Insights from the Citizen Perspective
Exploring citizen impressions of digital platforms and electronic public services is essential as digital governance plays an important role in improving the delivery of public services. This study examines Albanian citizens' perceptions of the e-Government platform, e-Albania, with the aim of understanding the key factors influencing its acceptance and future adoption intentions Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study investigates variables such as Perceived Usefulness, Ease of Use, Attitude, and Future Intention to Use. Literature review on digital governance highlights the significance of these factors in shaping citizen engagement with e-government services. Additionally, recent studies emphasize the growing importance of trust and risk factors as citizens depend more an more on online government services This research paper aim to identify how these factors influence citizens' attitudes toward adopting and their future intentions to use e-Albania, and providing insights to improve user experience with this mandatory government platform. To evaluate these insights, this study employed a structured survey administered to 100 participants in Albania. Results indicate that majority of participants rated the platform favorably; usefulness and ease to use. However, concerns regarding data security risk and overall trustworthiness had a significant impact on participants' intentions for future use.These findings are valuable for practitioners, policymakers, and developers of e-Government platform in Albania. Addressing user concerns around transparency, user support, and streamlining access can improve the platform’s effectiveness and trustworthiness. This study provides realistic and valuable insights into the Albanian e-Government landscape, emphasizing the practical need to foster trust and streamline digital public service delivery for better citizen adoption.
Enhanced Web Application Security through Advanced Penetration Testing Techniques
The Internet is an extraordinarily dynamic environment, brimming with a diverse array of applications that provide various services and experiences to its users. However, this diversity also brings about a darker side: web applications are frequently subject to cyber-attacks, facing unprecedented levels of risk each year and causing significant damage to the global internet community. In this context, improving the security of these web applications on a global scale is crucial. Despite efforts to address this challenge, annual reports indicate that many websites still harbor critical security vulnerabilities. The OWASP Top 10 list has identified and documented these critical vulnerabilities, which persistently trend year after year in web applications [1]. The primary aim of this paper is to enhance the security of web applications by addressing and mitigating potential threats through penetration testing. To achieve this goal, a theoretical model has been developed to better identify and understand possible vulnerabilities in application security. Through a practical approach, penetration tests have been utilized to examine a web application for potential critical vulnerabilities. The research focuses on identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers and proposing solutions for the specific problems identified. The methods employed include manual testing and the use of software such as Burp Suite to test and analyze known threats such as SQL injections. In-depth analysis of these vulnerabilities reveals that even a minor security flaw can cause significant damage to a website in the real-world internet environment. Through this process, the aim is to highlight potential vulnerabilities and provide an ongoing strategy for cyber protection, thereby improving the security and resilience of web applications against potential attacks.
Cybersecurity in Albanian Accounting: Enhancing Data Integrity and Risk Management
Cybersecurity poses a growing challenge for modern organizations, including within the realm of accounting. This study explores the impact of cybersecurity on accounting practices and financial information management. Focusing on identifying potential risks and protective strategies, it analyzes methods to enhance the integrity and security of financial data amidst persistent cybersecurity threats. The findings underscore the critical need to align cybersecurity practices with accounting standards, addressing a gap identified in current literature.
Motivation of lecturers at the faculty of engineering: A management information systems approach
This study examines the motivation of lecturers at the Faculty of Engineering, focusing on its connection to management information systems (MIS). Given the importance of high-quality higher education, lecturer motivation is crucial for ensuring a positive learning experience for students and supporting the academic and professional development of faculty members. The study aims to identify the factors influencing lecturer motivation, assess their job satisfaction and commitment levels, and explore how MIS impacts this process. The research investigates both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting motivation, such as professional development, career advancement opportunities, recognition, work environment, and financial incentives. It also explores the role of information management systems in enhancing work experiences, facilitating communication, and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Involving 120 engineering faculty members from an Albanian university, the study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather comprehensive data on lecturer motivation. Findings reveal that intrinsic factors like career growth and research participation play a significant role, while effective use of MIS can enhance performance and satisfaction. However, challenges such as insufficient training and technological infrastructure were also noted. The study concludes by proposing strategies for improving lecturer motivation through the integration of MIS, offering professional development opportunities, and creating a supportive work environment that values faculty contributions. These measures aim to enhance teaching quality and develop a committed and motivated faculty team.
TIA- A smart psychometric analysis app for Albanian high school exams framework
In support of experts working on high school examinations in Albania, there have been prior studies and research highlighting the importance of psychometric analysis in standard setting for these exams. The State Matura process, initiated in 2006, has undergone several modifications, and since 2016, these results play a crucial role in determining university entry for students in Albania. TIA (Test Item Analysis) Shiny App is an inovative application designed to facilitate psychometric analysis in the development of Albanian high school final exams. The application improves professional decision-making by providing quick insights into item and exam performance empowering psychometricians and subject experts to make data-driven decisions. By integrating item statistics like difficulty and discrimination with flexible cut-score setting, it enhances the efficiency of exam scoring and evaluation processes. In addition, the application uses advanced classification techniques to identify similarities between items. The framework i, s versatile, supporting exams composed of only MCQs, only SAQs, or a combination of bothmaking it a valuable tool for various assessment scenarios. In addition it also offeres detailed item disctractor reports for MCQ items for promoting continuous improvement of exam quality. With comprehensive numeric reports and dynamic visual insights, the TIA-Smart Solution empowers psychometricians and educators to make informed, data-driven decisions effectively.
ChatGPT's Influence on Cybersecurity: Reduce and Understanding the Risks
The emergence of conversational AI models, such as ChatGPT, has revolutionized human-computer interactions, offering extraordinary capabilities in natural language understanding and generation. However, as these models become increasingly integrated into various applications and platforms, they also introduce new challenges and risks to cybersecurity. This article explores the impact of ChatGPT on cybersecurity, delving into both the opportunities and weaknesses it presents. We discuss the potential use of ChatGPT in various cyber attacks, including phishing, social engineering, and misinformation campaigns. Additionally, we examine strategies for reduce these risks, such as enhancing model security, implementing robust authentication mechanisms, and promoting user education and awareness. By understanding the connections of ChatGPT on cybersecurity, we can proactively address these challenges and hold its capabilities safely and responsibly in the digital landscape.
An analytical study of information security management in the public sector of Albania
Public sector organizations are in the early stages of adopting information security management in Albania. Organizations who have adopted these processes have underestimated information security within the organisation framework. This study specifically investigates the information security management within public sector organizations. Its objective is to organise local organizations with international standards and frameworks in terms of integrating information security management and information technology audits, risks, and control measures. A survey of selected organizations is completed and results are presented in this paper identifying the maturity level of information security management in Albanian organizations.
Difficulties on the road to progress and resilience. Accounting challenges for the public sector in the digitization process
The objectives of this article are: to identify some problems of the digitization process in which the accounting function of the enterprise is involved and to provide some solutions to these problems. Thus, the article includes both the description of some problems of the accounting function that digitization generates for internal management in large state companies, the applicable accounting rules, solutions of some state units, ideas of the authors. Since they are relatively new problems, for some aspects there are no previous studies on them. As methods of approach, the establishment of the importance of the problem according to the opinions in the field of economic research and the business environment, the description of the current situation, including in the field of accounting, the presentation of solutions adopted by two state-controlled units from Romania as case studies are considered , adapting the accounting information flow and the rules to meet management needs in the digitalization process, analyzing how to apply some international standards with implications in the digitalization process.Among the estimated results are some possible solutions to be applied by national companies in the accounting of digitization processes. Through the article, we offer new solutions applicable by practitioners of state companies, including their managers, but also proposals to the authorities to clarify some aspects through accounting law or business law.The article will contribute to avoiding the occurrence of blockages in the digitization processes related to the accounting function. Thus, in the management of digitization processes, attention can be focused on substantive elements, efficiency and opportunity, less on formal aspects such as the flow of accounting records.
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The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Cybersecurity: Boosting Security While Addressing Privacy Risks
Artificial Intelligence (AI) drives an important evolution in cybersecurity, especially within threat detection, predictive analytics, and incident response. Simultaneously with this fast-changing development, privacy concerns are also brought up because such data-driven AI may adversely affect user privacy and raise ethical issues. This article describes about the double role of AI in cybersecurity: while reinforcing security, it also creates hazards when it comes to data privacy. This paper reviews key AI methods, like machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning, for their effectiveness in enhancing cybersecurity. In that direction, the paper addresses challenges related to privacy issues linked to these AI-driven methods, related to the misuse of collected data, algorithmic biases, and the unintended exposure of sensitive information. The themes identified in this article include AI methodologies for cybersecurity, balancing between security enhancements and privacy risks, adversarial AI, and regulatory responses. This comparative analysis underlines several strengths and limitations of current AI-driven security solutions and stresses the need for privacy-preserving AI techniques. The role played by the regulatory frameworks is also discussed in order to analyze how the legal guidelines may balance security and privacy. The study results shows that, while AI significantly enhances cybersecurity, privacy is a very critical issue that needs to be addressed through regulatory compliance, transparency, and ethical AI development. The study recognizes limitations in the literature, particularly insufficient empirical evidence about real world efficiency in privacy-preserving AI techniques and a lack of attention toward cross-cultural regulatory impacts. It suggests that in the future, research efforts should be directed more towards robust privacy-preserving models, increased AI transparency, and a deeper consideration of the ethical frameworks with which to guide the responsible use of AI in cybersecurity.
Impactul transformării digitale:De la educația tradițională la educația inteligentă
Uniunea Europeană acordă o deosebită atenție tranziției verzi și celei digitale, acestea reprezentând în prezent direcții importante care contribuie la dezvoltarea omenirii și, totodată, la îmbunătățirea nivelului de trai. Tranziția digitală subliniază direcția spre digitalizarea educației, un element esențial pentru dezvoltarea și progresul societății. Prin Planul Național de Recuperare și Reziliență, școlile din zonele defavorizate din România pot aplica pentru a obține finanțări ce aduc îmbunătățiri tehnologice asupra instituțiilor de învățământ, acestea vizând îmbunătățirea calității învățării și facilitarea transformării digitale. Educația joacă un rol crucial în dezvoltarea societății, motiv pentru care trebuie să acordăm atenție sporită calității acesteia. Bazându-se pe cercetările existente privind digitalizarea proceselor de învățare, acest studiu contextualizează constatările din domeniul educației, abordând provocările întâmpinate în urma tehnologizării instituțiilor de învățământ, în special în zonele rurale. Printre principalele obiective ale lucrării se numără analiza importanței formării competențelor digitale pentru elevi și profesori pentru a asigura integrarea eficientă a tehnologiei în procesul educațional și evidențierea contribuției tehnologiei la modernizarea educației. De asemenea, un obiectiv fundamental al acestui studiu vizează motivele reticienței avute de cadrele didactice asupra folosirii tehnologiei și dacă digitalizarea ajută la obținerea unui proces de învățare mai facil. Este esențial să recunoaștem importanța educației în viața noastră, iar această lucrare subliniază modul în care modernizarea tehnologică, în special în învățământul primar, este implementată în școlile din zonele rurale.
The impact of digital transformation: From traditional education to smart education
European Union's focus on a green and digital transition, but how is this being implemented in local communities in disadvantaged areas of Romania? A major priority that requires our particular attention is the digitization of education. Through the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience, schools in deprived areas of Romania can apply for projects aimed at improving the quality of learning and enabling digital transformation. Using a concrete example, this paper aims to highlight the real impact such projects have on pupils and how a smart school enhances the learning process. Education plays a crucial role in the development of society, which is why we must pay more attention to it. Building on existing research that has focused on the digitalization of learning processes, this study contextualizes the findings within the field of education, addressing digital disparities and systemic issues specific to rural schools. The aim of this paper is to emphasize both the importance of the digital transformation of education in schools and the role this modernization plays. The main objectives of the paper include analyzing the significance of digital skills training for students and teachers to ensure the effective integration of technology into the educational process, and highlighting the contribution of technology to the modernization of education. It is essential to recognize the importance of education in our lives, and this paper underscores how technological modernization, especially in primary education, is being implemented in schools in rural areas.
Reziliența spațiului și hibridizarea modulară arhitecturală
Această cercetare explorează potențialul arhitecturii modulare hibride (HMA) de a îmbunătăți proiectarea spitalelor și de a spori reziliența infrastructurii medicale. HMA oferă o abordare flexibilă și eficientă pentru îmbunătățirea spitalelor existente și a designului general. Subiectul principal al acestei lucrări se referă la sistemele HMA care încorporează module inteligente capabile să optimizeze fluxul pacienților și să organizeze vizitele la spital prin eficientizarea proceselor administrative, reducerea timpilor de așteptare și îmbunătățirea experienței generale a pacienților. Lucrări anterioare: Acest studiu examinează HMA în raport cu predecesorii săi, spitalele tradiționale și cele modulare în ceea ce privește viteza de construire, eficiența costurilor, adaptabilitatea, durabilitatea și reziliența prin integrarea designului modular cu tehnologii inteligente pentru a răspunde mai bine urgențelor și nevoilor de asistență medicală în continuă evoluție. Abordare: Această cercetare a utilizat o abordare mixtă a metodelor care combină studii de caz, sondaje și interviuri cu experți pentru a explora aplicarea HMA în spitale. Sondajele și interviurile au colectat informații de la arhitecți și profesioniști din domeniul sănătății cu privire la flexibilitate și scalabilitate. În plus, revizuirile literaturii de specialitate au oferit o bază teoretică pentru a susține constatările empirice. Rezultate: Sistemele HMA pot reduce timpul de construire al spitalelor, menținând calitatea, totodată cu adaptabilitate sporită, permițând spitalelor să reconfigureze rapid spațiile pentru a face față numărului mare de pacienți. Implicații: Studiul oferă informații pentru cadrele universitare, cercetători și practicieni din domeniul arhitecturii și medicinei. Pentru practicieni, cercetarea evidențiază strategii de îmbunătățire a rezilienței și a scalabilității spitalelor, în special în situații de urgență. Valoare: Această cercetare explorează integrarea spitalelor existente cu extensii modulare pentru a mări rapid capacitatea și a spori flexibilitatea. Ea oferă o soluție durabilă și scalabilă pentru o asistență medicală rezistentă, făcând legătura între teorie și practică în proiectarea arhitecturală.
Space resilience and hybrid modular architecture
Objectives: This research explores the potential of Hybrid Modular Architecture (HMA) to improve hospital design and enhance healthcare infrastructure resilience. By integrating prefabricated modular components with site-specific construction, HMA offers a flexible and efficient approach to improving existing hospitals and overall hospital design. The main subject of this paper refers to HMA systems that incorporate smart modules capable of optimizing patient flow and organizing hospital visits by streamlining administrative processes, reducing waiting times, and improving overall patient experience. Prior work: This study examines how HMA surpasses its predecessors, the traditional and modular emergency hospitals in construction speed, cost-efficiency, adaptability, sustainability, and resilience by integrating modular design with smart technologies to better respond to emergencies and evolving healthcare needs. Approach: This research utilized a mixed-methods approach combining case studies, surveys, and expert interviews to explore the application of HMA in hospitals. Surveys and interviews gathered insights from healthcare professionals and architects on flexibility and scalability. Additionally, literature reviews provided a theoretical foundation to support empirical findings. Results: The study revealed that HMA systems can reduce hospital construction time by up to 50% while maintaining quality. Findings from case studies and surveys highlighted increased adaptability, allowing hospitals to reconfigure spaces swiftly to address patient surges. Expert interviews emphasized the benefits of modular partitions and reduced environmental impact. Implications: The study provides valuable insights for academics, researchers, and practitioners in architecture and healthcare. For academics, it expands the theoretical understanding of modular design in healthcare contexts. For practitioners, the research highlights practical strategies for enhancing hospital resilience and scalability, particularly in emergencies for future-proofing healthcare facilities. Value: This research explores integrating existing hospitals with modular extensions to quickly expand capacity and enhance flexibility. It offers a sustainable, scalable solution for resilient healthcare, bridging theory and practice in architectural design.
VPN VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK APPLICATIONS IN DATA PREDICTION
The evolution and age of the latest programs and services, along with the expansion of encrypted communications, make it difficult for site visitors within a security enterprise. Virtual private networks (VPNs) are one example of an encrypted communications provider that is becoming popular as a way to bypass censorship in addition to gaining access to geo-blocked offerings. This paper examines the presentation of an IP security, VPN. The Cisco Packet Line Platform is used for simulation, evaluation, and verification. It uses a virtual connection to carry data packets from a non-public network to remote locations. Network data transmission used on an unsecured public Internet network so that you can access the network from cross-purposes and search for data traffic. One solution that can be done is with Virtual Private Network techniques using OpenVPN on learning networks. The results of the implementation of the Virtual Private Network using OpenVPN are that the effort gives a positive result, this is proven by sniffing the data that cannot detect the username and password sent. Quality of Service measurement results showed a decrease in network quality with latency parameters increasing from 51.4 ms to 463.4 ms, packet loss increased from 7.8% to 20.2%, throughput decreased from 82.8% to 71.6%, and bandwidth decreased from 64786 to 6.6 bits. 55589 bit/s, is due to the time-consuming encryption and encapsulation process. A virtual private network (VPN) can be defined as a way to provide secure communication between members of a group through the use of public telecommunications infrastructure, maintaining privacy through the use of a tunneling protocol and security procedures. There are many different VPN solutions out there, and simply deciding which one to choose can be difficult as they all have advantages and disadvantages. VPNs can be categorized as secure or trusted VPNs, client-based or web-based VPNs, client-side or provider-based VPNs, or outsourced or in-house VPNs. These categories often overlap with each other. To decide which VPN solutions to choose for different parts of the enterprise infrastructure, the chosen solution should be the one that best meets the requirements of the enterprise.
Smart Governance in Kazakhstan: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Development, Challenges, and Future Directions
This research examines how Kazakhstan is gradually implementing smart governance practices, studying how these efforts are changing government operations, improving citizen participation, and encouraging more transparency in policy-making. Kazakhstan's dedication to integrating digital tools and methods into governance gives rise to important inquiries regarding the efficiency of these initiatives and how well they adhere to worldwide norms for modern governance. As Kazakhstan aims to become a digitally advanced nation, it is crucial to comprehend the impacts and potential challenges of smart governance. By combining recent literature, this research offers a thorough evaluation of Kazakhstan's smart governance strategy, which concentrates on digital infrastructure growth, public participation, policy openness, and data protection. Initially, advancements in digital infrastructure are the foundation of an agile, effective governance system, facilitating improved service access for the public. Furthermore, smart governance promotes a collaborative atmosphere that enhances public trust and inclusivity through encouraging citizen engagement. Thirdly, highlighting policy transparency facilitates accountability, leading to a governance framework that follows global standards. Ultimately, maintaining data security is crucial to guaranteeing that digital governance remains strong and reliable. This paper concludes with a series of specific recommendations for improving Kazakhstan's smart governance capabilities and overcoming existing constraints. In this way, it aims to help achieve Kazakhstan's overall sustainable development objectives and add to the wider conversation on efficient smart governance in developing countries. These suggestions offer practical advice that could help policymakers and stakeholders advance Kazakhstan's digital governance evolution.
The objective of this study is to explore the role of Machine Learning (ML) in enhancing the functionality and sustainability of smart cities. Machine learning (ML) plays a crucial role in smart cities by enabling data-driven insights and automation that make urban management more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to residents' needs. Prior work has established that ML algorithms can significantly improve urban planning, traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public safety. Prior work in this field which we consider relevant are Chaturvedi and Vries Chaturvedi & Vries (2021) who highlight the effectiveness of ML in urban land use planning, and Nosratabadi et al. Nosratabadi et al. (2020) who provide a comprehensive survey of ML models tailored for urban sustainability. Our approach synthesizes these findings to illustrate how ML can be used to address urban challenges through data analysis. The implications of integrating ML into smart city frameworks are profound. By utilizing real-time data from various sources, including IoT devices and social media, cities can enhance their responsiveness to dynamic urban conditions. Also, ML models can analyze environmental data to monitor air quality and urban greenness, contributing to public health and ecological sustainability. The value of ML in smart cities lies in its ability to transform vast datasets into insights, thus helping decidents to make informed decision-making and to efficiently allocate their resources. As cities continue to evolve, the adoption of advanced ML techniques will be crucial for developing resilient urban environments. This study underscores the necessity for ongoing research to use the potential of machine learning in shaping urban living, but with an important accent on its ethical applications.
Architecture and Psychology – A Study of the Connection of Architectural Image with Urban Environment Perception
The study inquires to what extent certain images of urban architecture can evoke attraction or repulsion, functional framing or engaging individuals, in relation to certain elements (vertical, horizontal, materials, style). An aim parallel but very important is to demonstrate a behavioral influence generated by architecture, assessing the awareness of behavioral influence through architecture. We measured attachment and decision to visit architectural works, and tested the perception of concepts of architecture, manipulation, atmosphere removed from any practical context, through questions related to photographs and through questions related to concepts, the result being not only a percentage measurement of the impact of certain architectural elements (verticals, columns, horizontals, glass, gates) but also a vast array of words connected with a certain concept. We proposed images of buildings such as the gate of the agora in Miletus, the Greek temple, the winning project in the RIBA competition for Iraqi Parliament, the National Museum of Romania, Casa Radio in Bucharest, CCTV in Beijing, or the Battersea power station, the London pumping station, Steven Hall's horizontal skyscraper, selected for particular functions, or particular design features. The questionnaire was carried out after careful study of the literature, especially that related to visual culture, persuasion, totalitarianism and psychology of sustainability – that must involve transdisciplinary studies looking at the links between humans, power and the built environment, as well as aim to create well-being through architecture. The found association of architecture with actions of force is interesting, as well as that architecture becomes independent of place and creator, being a mark for the power of a culture. Respondents are in majority in favor of the importance of architecture in everyday life, although not assimilated with manipulative intentions, so we conclude that architectural producers (both designers and funders) have succeeded in creating an outstanding force within the visual culture. Architecture is seen as a collective creation rather than an authorial one and respondents do not correctly intuit the impact that the financial, technological and the niche specialization of architects and structural engineers has on architectural visual culture. Obstructing the correct understanding of architectural also makes its influence more effective where it is present.
Could Not Be The “Collective Intelligence” Of A SMART CITY Directly-Sensed To The Today-Dramatically Post-Kantian “ETERNAL PEACE”?
The rhetoric inquiry from the title of this co-authored study is bordering four constructs-nuclei regarding which the co-authors are trying to model an ideal and, respectively, a (hypothetical-)real causal network [so, the next stage from a semantic network]. These modeling approaches are related to the dual cases of the * technological advance (contemporary, mostly, an exponential e-advance) / and respectively of the ** worldwide ‘subtle’ statistical www-images/popular culture self-interrogations/mass-media records. But the study does not firmly follow this deterministic quasi-statistically based trend (that would be suited for a ‘brighter-and-smarter’ nexus as SIPRI), i.e., caused mainly by the ‘absence’ of data related to the populations of Smart Cities comparatively to the actual worldwide Metropolis [suffocated by pollution, traffic, needed larger-and-diversified (e-)work basins, (e-)health need and its current troubles/assurances, e-dreams/e-leisure, etc.]. For example, is New York a smart city? If partially YES, then ‘Are the members of a respective Smart-Segment in the Metropolis interested in an “Eternal Peace” on our Entire Planet? – or are they fuzzy-neutral within the existent ‘locally assured’ peaceful stance? Thus, this study aggregates a content and form of a MEMORANDUM – addressed to ‘whom it may concern’ – wordwide universities and research entities, engaged in ‘to change’ the current ‘war-peace-war’ stance… Into this cognitive and praxis-actional context, the co-authored study is bordering [beyond the respective four-entitled constructs-nuclei] by an elicited triad of a set of constructs-tensions [in the Prologue: 6 + 12; in the (Central) Nucleus Part: 19; in the Ephilogue: 8]. These emerged constructs-tensions would pave (if these would be taken up by societal projects) the still possible evolutions from the contemporary Knowledge Society towards a Consciousness Society [the ‘Consciousness Society’ last evoked construct was firstly e-initiated by the Academician Mihai Dragãnescu / approx. 2005]. Now, this triad of a set of 18 + 19 + 8 constructs-tensions stands mainly as a subtle societal radiant-inquiry in front of the contemporary {e-education, e-governance/e-administration, e-liberties, e-prosecution…}, and it is just tending to propose harmonic steps-by-steps to change/revise/evolve the current wordwide ‘war-peace-war’ stance; the Smart Cities’s roles are essential to resonate, or not, to each of these 45 constructs-tensions. Our ‘Individual and Collective Intelligence’ will pave the course of these constructs-tensions within the flow of the respective ‘subtle societal radiant-inquiry’. E.g. (an element of this subtle societal radiant-inquiry) “Where are the HUMANS?” All these are representing and emulating an address to universities / research entities in approaching/initiating an “Interdisciplinary Center of PEACE ENTREPRENEURS - PROGRESS ENTREPRENEURS versus our (RE-)HUMANIZATION”.
Smart Urban Governance. Administrația Publică în era Smart: Tehnologie, Date și Cetățeni
Smart Urban Governance reprezintă o abordare inovatoare în managementul urban, care îmbină tehnologiile moderne cu strategii avansate pentru a transforma modul în care administrațiile publice interacționează cu cetățenii și furnizează servicii. Acest suport de curs explorează conceptul de guvernanță urbană inteligentă prin analizarea principalelor direcții și tendințe ale digitalizării administrației publice, cu accent pe rolul esențial al tehnologiilor informației și comunicațiilor (IT&C). Printre temele majore abordate se numără gestionarea documentelor electronice, utilizarea inteligenței artificiale (AI) în luarea deciziilor bazate pe date, parteneriatele public-private (PPP) pentru accelerarea digitalizării, securitatea cibernetică și protecția datelor. Un punct de plecare al cursului îl reprezintă demitizarea conceptelor asociate digitalizării, cum ar fi ideea că guvernarea electronică (e-Government) nu aduce beneficii tangibile sau că va conduce la pierderi masive de locuri de muncă. De fapt, implementarea soluțiilor de e-Government demonstrează multiple avantaje, inclusiv eliminarea birocrației excesive, creșterea transparenței și eficientizarea proceselor administrative. Aceste soluții sunt discutate prin prisma etapelor evolutive, de la prezența online simplă la guvernanța predictivă, bazată pe AI, care anticipează nevoile cetățenilor și optimizează serviciile publice. Dimensiunile e-Government sunt analizate detaliat, inclusiv relațiile dintre Administrație și Cetățeni (G2C), Administrație și Mediul de afaceri (G2B), și între diferite instituții ale Administrației (G2G). În acest context, sunt subliniate beneficiile majore aduse cetățenilor, precum accesibilitatea sporită la servicii publice esențiale, participarea activă în procesele decizionale și reducerea timpilor de răspuns. Aceste dimensiuni sunt completate cu exemple practice din România și alte țări, care demonstrează eficiența platformelor electronice, precum ghișeul.ro, și a soluțiilor integrate de gestiune a datelor. Un capitol important este dedicat analizei datelor și utilizării AI pentru a sprijini deciziile strategice în administrația publică. AI permite optimizarea proceselor și identificarea tiparelor, având un impact major asupra eficienței operaționale. Studiile de caz includ utilizarea AI pentru clasificarea petițiilor cetățenilor sau analiza predictivă pentru planificarea urbană. Astfel, administrațiile publice pot aloca resurse în mod eficient, pot preveni fraudele și pot personaliza serviciile oferite cetățenilor. De asemenea, cursul analizează rolul parteneriatelor public-private (PPP) în accelerarea inovației și implementarea tehnologiilor avansate. Exemplele de succes din România și alte țări demonstrează că aceste parteneriate pot asigura accesul la expertiză, resurse financiare și tehnologii de ultimă generație, reducând riscurile și maximizând impactul investițiilor. Un alt aspect esențial abordat în acest material este securitatea cibernetică, care devine critică în contextul digitalizării masive a administrației publice. Documentul subliniază provocările întâmpinate, precum complexitatea infrastructurilor IT și amenințările în evoluție, oferind soluții precum implementarea autentificării multifactor, criptarea datelor și educarea utilizatorilor pentru a preveni atacurile cibernetice. Concluzia subliniază importanța adoptării unui cadru strategic pentru digitalizarea administrației publice, care să includă tehnologii moderne, soluții de guvernanță electronică și colaborare eficientă între sectorul public și privat. Prin acest curs, se urmărește dotarea funcționarilor publici cu cunoștințe practice și teoretice pentru a implementa soluții eficiente de digitalizare, contribuind la crearea unor administrații publice transparente, reziliente și orientate către cetățeni. Acesta nu doar că evidențiază bunele practici și inovațiile existente, dar oferă și un ghid complet pentru gestionarea provocărilor asociate unei tranziții digitale durabile.
Gender Inequality in Cybersecurity Exploring the Opportunities and Progression in Albania
This paper explores gender inequality in Albania’s cybersecurity sector, focusing on the barriers and opportunities for women. Despite global demand, gender disparity persists, with women significantly underrepresented. The aim is to assess the perception of gender equality in Albania’s cybersecurity workforce, examine career gaps, and identify factors hindering women's entry and progression. This research highlights the importance of addressing inclusivity in this critical sector. Building on global research regarding gender gaps in technology and cybersecurity, this paper offers a localized view of Albania. Prior studies have emphasized the broader issue of underrepresentation in ICT, and this research contributes by analyzing recent data on gender and career progression specifically in cybersecurity. A survey was conducted to gather perceptions of gender equality in Albania’s cybersecurity field. Respondents shared insights on educational background, career breaks, and challenges in entering and progressing in cybersecurity roles. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were employed to identify key issues. The findings indicate that although progress has been made, significant challenges remain. Gender biases, a lack of role models, and misconceptions about the field continue to discourage women. The study underscores the need for initiatives to close the gender gap. This research provides recommendations for policymakers, civil society, and industry leaders to address gender disparities. It offers insights for future academic research and highlights practical steps to align strategies with labor market needs. The paper contributes original insights into Albania’s gender gap in cybersecurity and offers a foundation for future initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and gender equality in the field.
The Internet environment in Bulgaria as a basis of digital transformation and smart governance
Smart cities' goals highlight the need for better interconnectedness, transparent and efficient governance and more effective public services. European cities have been leading the way on smart city development for over a decade. These cities are pioneers in testing and implementing innovative, sustainable and integrated solutions to become greener, more efficient, and better places for life. The Internet is the basis of all these novel developments and the quality of the net environment is crucial for the accomplishment of the digital transformation goals. The project "Conducting a national assessment of Internet development in Bulgaria through the framework of “UNESCO Internet Universality indicators" is closely related to the principles of the global initiative "Partnership for Open Government": transparency, civic participation, accountability and technological innovation. UNESCO's Internet Universality Framework is a multi-stakeholder research tool designed to produce substantive and far-reaching findings that will be of real value to policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders to improve the quality of digital policy development and implementation. The assessment through the “UNESCO Internet Universality indicators" is a unique instrument for the evaluation of the national Internet environment and its use. So far, several countries from all continents have undertaken this challenging exercise. After Germany, Bulgaria is the second European country that have produced such comprehensive report following a detailed procedure. Through transparency, awareness and effective multistakeholder collaboration (governments, civil society, private sector, academia, the technical community, the journalistic community, etc.), we have gathered, consolidated and up-dated information about the network and the quality of services in Bulgaria, which is essential for an open, globally connected, secure and reliable Internet and sustainable digital transformation. The main method used is the desktop and comparative research but for some areas an analysis of extracts from interviews have been included. As a result of our experience gained during the implementation of the project, we made two types of proposals – international and national. The first group of proposals addressed UNESCO with the aim of refining the process of formulating new indicators and improving old ones based on the accumulated national practice. The second group of proposals comprised recommendations to statistical institutions, policy makers and legislators. The report produced is a valuable asset for both theoreticians and practitioners. It allows them to see all problems concerning the Internet in a systematic manner. Statistics analyzed show that Bulgaria lost 10 positions in a year in the global digital quality of life index, the country's e-government is above the world average but the country ranks 36th in terms of Internet accessibility. Being a good start for the elaboration of appropriate digital policy and legislation and for the enrichment of national statistics the report served also as a test of the effective implementation of the multistakeholders’ approach in Bulgaria.
Topic: Automatic Permit Generation as an Attribute of Real-Time Data Management and Decision-Making.
In the era of digitalization, automatic decision-making by powerful systems has become a crucial aspect of modern management. Through the application of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), complex administrative processes can be streamlined and automated, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in decision-making. This paper addresses the importance of automatic permission generation and decision-making based on data stored in databases. One of the key applications of this system is the real-time monitoring of dates and locations, which is used to make critical administrative decisions in institutions such as universities, schools, and workplaces.The application presented in this study utilizes classes such as uuid, smtplib, MIMEText, MIMEMultipart, and Flask to create an integrated system that monitors and manages data. By using this application, advanced monitoring of locations and dates is achieved, contributing to improved transparency and decision-making in various contexts, including the case study of UMSH.This study also analyzes the impact of these automated processes in improving efficiency and preparing for future challenges in administrative management.
Automation of Scientific Conferences at the Mediterranean University of Albania: Enhancing Service Performance and Quality
In the era of digital transformation, process automation in educational institutions has become a key factor in improving the efficiency and quality of services provided. In this paper, we will explore the benefits of automating scientific conferences and online journal processes at the Mediterranean University of Albania, focusing on enhancing service performance and quality.Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has revolutionized the way these processes are managed. The use of RPA enables the automation of repetitive and complex tasks, significantly improving the speed and accuracy of operations. For example, account activation through OTP (One-Time Password) provides a high level of security during the registration of new users, minimizing security risks and improving user experience. Furthermore, email verification is a crucial component in the processes of online journals and conference applications, ensuring that all notifications and communications reach their intended recipients quickly and accurately. This not only improves communication but also increases the reliability and transparency of the data managed. The automatic comparison of the most recent Word documents uploaded by an author is another important functionality that facilitates the review and version management process, saving time and reducing human errors. The case study of the “UMSH Conferences” application will serve as a practical example to illustrate the advantages of these automated functionalities, significantly improving operational efficiency and the quality of service offered in scientific conferences and online journal processes.