Smart Cities and Connected Communities - College of Information (INFO)

Smart Cities and Connected Communities

Integrating people, data, devices, infrastructure, and institutions to realize the potential of communities.

Research Projects

Detecting and Mapping War-induced Damage to Agricultural Fields in Ukraine using Multi-Modal Remote Sensing Data
Principal Investigator(s): Sergii Skakun
Funder: NASA Other Federal
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Human-Computer Interaction > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Smart Cities and Connected Communities > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project advances remote sensing methods to map war-induced damage to Ukraine’s agricultural fields using infrared and visible spectrum satellite data. By developing deep-learning and data fusion techniques, the research will detect artillery craters, burned areas, and abandoned fields to assess the war’s impact on agriculture at scale.
NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J: NourishNet – A Food Recovery Toolbox
Principal Investigator(s): Vanessa Frias-Martinez
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Future of Work > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Smart Cities and Connected Communities
NourishNet is developing tools to fight food insecurity and waste, including FoodLoops, a platform for surplus food distribution, and Quantum Nose, a sensor that detects early food spoilage. By combining real-time data, consumer education, and stakeholder collaboration, the project strengthens food system resiliency and promotes equitable access to healthy food.

Staff

Recent News

A group of students and faculty stand together on a stage at Korea University Seoul Campus during the 2025 Climate Corps Summer School. Several students wear matching green shirts and hold red Korea University folders and small teddy bear mascots. At center, they display a sign reading “Third Prize – Climate Corps Summer School 2025” for a business plan team. Information science student Nicholas Schiavone stands among the group holding a red folder.

Photo courtesy of Maryland Global

Maryland Global: Code, Collaboration and Climate Solutions

Information Science alum Nicholas Schiavone applied tech and data skills to support climate refugees in global competition
A small, fluffy white and tan dog lies on a wooden floor, looking forward, with a small orange bearded dragon lizard sitting nearby. A bookshelf filled with books is visible in the background.

Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via Katerina

WTOP News: Maryland Students Work to Preserve a Unique Bit of Animal History About Greenbelt (ft. Eric Hung)

Guided by Professor Eric Hung, UMD INFO students digitize and share Greenbelt’s surprising pet history with the community
Close-up of the blue flashing emergency light bar on the roof of a police vehicle at night, with blurry red traffic lights and silhouettes of people in the background.

Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via Chalabala

BSOS News: UMD Researchers Help Identify 5 Keys to Reducing Gun Violence by 2040

INFO's Sheena Erete helps outline five interdisciplinary, tech-driven strategies aimed at reducing gun violence nationwide by 2040