It’s 8 a.m. at the Oslo harbor: Commuters are getting off electric trams, bicycles are rolling along wide bike paths, and there’s hardly a sound of diesel or gasoline engines on the streets. Oslo’s residents are at home on their laptops or have their smartphones in hand to handle many everyday tasks digitally—because whether it’s finding a parking spot, scheduling appointments with government agencies, or organizing trash collection, everything in Norway’s capital is done digitally.

Oslo combines sustainability, digitalization, and public administration into a smart urban system. In the IMD Smart City Index 2025, the city ranks second worldwide, right behind Zurich and ahead of Geneva. A result that is based primarily on the combination of green infrastructure, digital administration, and modern mobility.

Smart City with a Clear Climate Strategy

Climate protection is a central element of Oslo’s urban strategy. The city aims to be among the first emission-free capitals in the world.

To achieve this, Oslo is focusing on several key areas:

• Renewable energy: A large portion of the city’s energy supply comes from hydropower.

• Low-carbon urban development: Programs such as “FutureBuilt” promote climate-friendly architecture and sustainable neighborhoods.

• Digital infrastructure: Smart grids and sensor technology help manage energy efficiently and reduce consumption.

The synergy between technology and environmental policy is a key reason why Oslo consistently ranks among the world’s top cities in international smart city rankings.

Digital Administration for Citizens’ Daily Lives

In addition to sustainability, the digitization of public administration plays a key role.

Digital platforms, such as Oslo Kommune, enable citizens to access numerous administrative services online—from applications for daycare and schools to housing services and permits. Using eID, or electronic identity, they can submit applications, sign documents, and send or receive messages from government agencies. The “Oslonøkkelen,” or Oslo Key, also makes life easier for people in the city. This is a municipal app that allows users to visit city libraries around the clock and unlock recycling stations without physical cards.

These offerings are part of a comprehensive strategy: technology should not be an end in itself, but rather create tangible improvements in everyday life—for example, through more efficient services, greater transparency, or better decision-making foundations for urban planning.

Mobility at the Heart of the Smart City

Oslo’s smart city strategy is particularly evident in the area of mobility. The city is regarded as a global pioneer in electric mobility. Government incentive programs and infrastructure initiatives have led to electric vehicles accounting for a large share of new registrations and already dominating many sectors.

In addition, Oslo focuses on:

• a dense public transportation network

• intelligent traffic systems to optimize traffic flow

• low-emission zones and digital toll systems

In the international Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Oslo is therefore among the leading cities in the field of sustainable mobility.

Oslo demonstrates that smart city strategies are particularly successful when multiple goals can be pursued simultaneously. In the case of the Norwegian capital, the strategy encompasses climate protection, digital administration, and modern mobility solutions, which contribute to a high quality of life for the people of Oslo.