Deividas Jacka: The “PropTech” Community – Vilnius’ Path to a Smarter City
2025.06.17
We often think of smart cities as a futuristic technological vision – from autonomous vehicles to smart infrastructure and digital governance. However, true intelligence starts not with imagination, but with very concrete solutions. According to entrepreneur, Civinity founder and chairman of the board, and PropTech Lithuania co-founder Deividas Jacka, one of the most important forces in this transformation is the rapidly growing PropTech community in Lithuania.
Digital transformation – more than just technology
PropTech (short for “property technology”) refers to innovations that are transforming how we plan, build, manage, and live in cities. In Lithuania, this ecosystem is being developed by PropTech Lithuania – an association uniting more than 60 members, including startups, technology developers, real estate developers, and representatives from the public sector.
Their goal is to create cities that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally responsible, comfortable, and inclusive for the people who live and work in them. PropTech is changing the logic of cities – from energy efficiency solutions to smart renovation, from community management apps to digital planning tools.
These innovations enable cities to better respond to residents’ needs, reduce emissions, and plan infrastructure in a data-driven way. This approach is particularly relevant for cities aiming to grow strategically – such as Vilnius.
“The largest capital in the Baltics must act like one – not be afraid of decisions that will help the city become smarter, more sustainable, and more convenient for everyone,” says Deividas Jacka. In his view, solutions such as centralized data access, digital platforms, or smart buildings should become the norm rather than the exception.
The role of PropTech in shaping a city’s vision
The smart city is no longer a novelty on the global stage – many major European and world capitals are moving in this direction. One such example is the well-known and nearby city of Amsterdam with its Smart City platform.
This is an advanced collaboration network connecting city government, business, academia, and citizens to create a more sustainable, technologically advanced, and citizen-friendly city.
The platform promotes the use of open, city-related data, experimentation in real urban spaces, and the implementation of innovative solutions in transportation, energy, housing, and public services. One of the standout examples is data-sharing initiatives that allow for more efficient traffic flow management or optimization of energy usage in buildings.
PropTech solutions play a key role on this platform – from advanced building management systems to digital tools that enable residents to actively participate in urban planning or provide real-time feedback.
Amsterdam demonstrates that digital innovations are becoming an integral part of urban development – they help not only to save resources or reduce pollution, but also to create a more human-centered, community-based, and inclusive urban environment.
This is an important lesson for other cities – if we want to become smart, we must create not just technologies, but platforms that encourage collaboration between all city residents and stakeholders.
A co-creation platform for the cities of the future
Many would agree – the capital not only can but must become an advanced, smart, and resident- and environmentally-friendly city. Many steps have already been taken in this direction: new residential districts are being developed, office buildings are being constructed to meet the highest standards, bike paths are being laid, and community parks are being renovated.
But a smart city is not only a political ambition – it’s also a technological challenge. To be part of this vision, the PropTech Lithuania community is creating a co-creation platform for the cities of the future: the Urban Vision Lab. Its goal is to transform urban development through creativity, cross-sector collaboration, and bold thinking.
This initiative invites us to view the city not as a bureaucratic structure but as a living system – connecting change-makers, business leaders, urban planners, architects, the creative industries, educators, scientists, and community voices.
“This is a platform where, by working together, we search for answers to how cities can become more inclusive, interactive, and innovative for all their residents. By bringing together innovators, fostering inter-sector dialogue, initiating pilot projects, and proposing solutions that genuinely improve city functioning, we can create real change – not just with words, but with actions,” explains D. Jacka about the new initiative.
Shaping the cities of the future – a shared responsibility
A livable city cannot be created by a single company or institution. It requires a shared vision, trust, and the courage to act together. Opinions alone are not enough – change begins when each of us takes responsibility and gets involved. “When we collaborate – we achieve more,” says D. Jacka, reminding us that a smart city starts not with technology, but with people who choose to act together.
Today, new opportunities are opening – the Urban Vision Lab will become a space where technology developers, municipalities, real estate developers, researchers, citizens, and communities come together. By working in unison, they will be able to shape a shared vision for the city and implement it – building a city that is smart, sustainable, and connected to each and every one of its residents.