The Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) is a cutting-edge research initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of its prestigious Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program. Headquartered at Columbia University, CS3 brings together a diverse network of academic institutions, community organizations, students, industry leaders, and government agencies to reimagine urban infrastructure through the lens of intelligent systems and inclusive design.

The Center focuses on developing next-generation streetscapes that leverage advanced technologies—such as distributed sensors, real-time data analytics, and scalable edge computing systems—to enhance public safety, environmental monitoring, and urban livability. CS3’s collaborative model promotes translational research that can be deployed across a variety of urban settings, ensuring that innovations are community-informed and practically scalable.

NEC Laboratories America is a proud research collaborator with CS3, contributing its expertise in AI-powered sensing technologies to support key initiatives in traffic safety, pedestrian monitoring, and environmental quality assessment. This partnership exemplifies NEC’s broader mission to harness artificial intelligence and sensor networks to build safer, smarter, and more sustainable cities. Read about our collaboration with The Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3).