ThessDema is a web-based decision support tool that addresses a growing challenge in modern urban logistics: ensuring fair and inclusive access to parcel delivery infrastructure. As cities like Thessaloniki increasingly adopt smart lockers to manage last-mile deliveries, questions of spatial equity and urban inclusion become more pressing. ThessDema leverages open urban data, spatial analysis, and responsible AI techniques to identify underserved areas and suggest optimal locations for new parcel lockers. It empowers both local authorities and logistics providers to make informed decisions that reflect the needs of diverse communities. This project was developed as the official group deliverable during the CityMinds Summer School 2025, an intensive program focused on the ethical and human-centered application of AI in smart city contexts. Our goal is to demonstrate how data-driven tools can support inclusive urban planning, using technology not just for efficiency, but for equity.
With the rise of e-commerce and the increasing use of parcel lockers as last-mile delivery solutions, questions of fairness, access, and urban inclusion become increasingly important. ThessDema addresses these questions by:
- Mapping existing parcel locker locations in Thessaloniki
- Analyzing spatial inequalities in access based on demographic and socio-economic data
- Recommending potential new locker placements to improve coverage and accessibility
- Encouraging collaboration between citizens, municipalities, and logistics providers
The goal is to support evidence-based decisions that make smart city infrastructure more inclusive and responsive to real community needs.
- Geospatial Visualization: Interactive maps showing current locker availability and accessibility by neighborhood
- Accessibility Analysis: Comparison of access levels across population groups, using urban open data
- Recommendation Engine: Prototype AI model for identifying underserved areas and suggesting new locker locations
- Modular Architecture: A flexible backend/frontend system designed for expansion and adaptation to other cities