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Date Published: 22/06/2026

Cartagena introduces smart sensors to track visitor numbers in key city streets

Sensors in Cartagena city centre will anonymously track visitor movement to help manage crowds and improve safety

Cartagena has installed five new pedestrian flow sensors across some of its busiest tourist spots in the historic centre as part of a push to modernise how the city manages visitor numbers.

The devices have been placed in key locations including Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Calle Mayor and Plaza San Francisco, areas which regularly see high footfall from both tourists and residents.

Developed by technology company Libelium, the sensors use WiFi and Bluetooth signals to detect mobile devices in the area. Officials have stressed that the system is completely anonymous and complies fully with data protection rules, with all information processed through encryption and obfuscation methods.

The project forms part of the Region of Murcia’s SmartRegion initiative and is co-financed through European Regional Development Fund support.

Rather than being stored in isolation, the data collected will be fed into Cartagena’s existing digital twin system as well as the regional SmartRegion platform. This will allow local and regional authorities to build a broader picture of how people move through urban spaces.

City officials say one of the key benefits is the ability to analyse visitor behaviour patterns, including peak times and congestion points, which can then be used to improve planning in the historic centre and beyond.

The information could also help shape future infrastructure decisions such as pedestrian routes, rest areas and crowd management measures, particularly during busy tourist periods and public events.

Security planning is another expected benefit, with real-time data helping emergency services respond more effectively during large gatherings by identifying crowd build-ups at an early stage.

Councillor for European Projects Cristina Mora explained that the aim is not only to improve the visitor experience in Cartagena but also to share knowledge and data models with other municipalities across the Region of Murcia, including Murcia city, Lorca and towns around the Mar Menor.

According to the council, the city’s growing network of urban sensors and digital systems is helping position Cartagena at the forefront of European smart city development, with future plans linked to broader data platforms and immersive urban planning tools.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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