Guard. Polytechnic uses AI to simplify PDM

Students from the Politécnico da Guarda (IPG) developed the Imo Harmonia platform, which simplifies the interpretation of Municipal Master Plans (PDM) using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate the analysis of standards and regulations and present data in accessible formats.

The project won the regional phase of the 21st edition of the Poliempreende Competition, which took place at IPG, and is in the national final of this initiative that challenges the entrepreneurial skills of higher education students.

The final of Poliempreende 2025 will take place in September, at the University of Aveiro.

According to the Politécnico da Guarda, the Imo Harmonia – Urbanismo Descomplicado platform was designed to simplify the interpretation of PDMs using Artificial Intelligence to automate the analysis of standards and regulations and present data in accessible formats.

“Aimed at architects, engineers and urban design offices, this platform created by IPG students identifies permissions, restrictions and inconsistencies in projects, supporting the preparation of descriptive reports that are in line with current legislation,” said the Polytechnic, in a note sent to the Lusa news agency.

For Joaquim Brigas, president of the Polytechnic of Guarda, Imo Harmonia has “great potential to reduce errors, save time and facilitate communication with public entities, responding to an obvious gap in urban planning, a sector that is still marked by bureaucracy and technical complexities that hinder projects and generate inefficiencies”.

The person in charge said he believes that this platform has the conditions to achieve a good classification in the final of Poliempreende 2025, as it constitutes “a possible, intelligent and timely response to these challenges”.

Imo Harmonia was one of the five projects competing in the regional phase of this year's Guarda do Poliempreende, in which teams made up of students from the Computer Engineering, Equipment Design, Marketing, Communication and Public Relations and Human Resources Management courses at IPG competed.

'EmprestaAí', a digital platform for renting personal items directly between users, excluding the intermediation of large stores or traditional marketplaces, was ranked second.

The project focuses on the circular economy and conscious consumption, allowing anyone to make goods available for rent in a simple, safe way and with low commissions.

Third place in the regional phase of Poliempreende went to GerasPlay, a technological solution aimed at the well-being and quality of life of the elderly.

It is a physical and cognitive rehabilitation platform that uses Artificial Intelligence, virtual reality and motion sensors to adapt exercises and games for older users.

The top three winners received 2,000, 1,500 and 1,000 euros , respectively.

The jury was made up of three individuals from the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Guarda region: Cecília Amaro (NERGA – Business Association of the Guarda Region), Dora Santos (Caixa de Crédito Agrícola) and Eurico Nunes (Made in Action).

Poliemprende is an entrepreneurial network made up of higher education institutions currently coordinated by the University of Aveiro.

Created in 2003, its objective is to develop entrepreneurial skills in higher education students and promote the creation of business projects, “promoting the spirit of initiative and enriching the curriculum of participating students”.