Successful completion of the webinar Reimagining the Future of Cities: AI, Virtual Worlds and the Citiverse
Cities across Europe are exploring new digital tools to support better planning, stronger citizen engagement, and more sustainable development. In this context, the Living-in.EU initiative through the GoLiEU project, together with partners from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), recently hosted the webinar “Reimagining the Future of Cities: AI, Virtual Worlds and the Citiverse.”
The webinar was organised as part of the Digital Transformation Dialogues by ITU, in collaboration with the Living-in.EU Education and Capacity Building Working Group. It brought together city representatives, public authorities, and digital innovation stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies such as AI, virtual worlds, and digital twins can support the next generation of urban innovation.
Introducing the Citiverse
The session introduced participants to the concept of the Citiverse: a vision for digitally connected urban environments where data, immersive technologies, and participatory platforms come together to support better decision-making and stronger collaboration between cities and their inhabitants.
Through presentations and examples, participants learned how the Citiverse goes beyond existing digital tools by enabling more immersive, participatory, and people-centred approaches to urban digital transformation. Cities can use such technologies to simulate urban scenarios, engage citizens in planning processes, and test innovative solutions before implementing them in the real world.
From Vision to Practice
The event was structured in two parts.
The first part introduced the Citiverse vision, its defining characteristics, and its potential value for cities and communities. Speakers explained how technologies such as data platforms, digital twins, and virtual environments can support urban planning, climate resilience strategies, and participatory governance.
The second part of the webinar focused on interactive engagement. Through quizzes and discussions, participants reflected on how cities can begin engaging with Citiverse-related initiatives and on the opportunities for collaboration at both European and global levels.
Supporting Cities in the Digital Transition
For GoLiEU and the Living-in.EU community, the webinar formed part of broader efforts to strengthen knowledge sharing and capacity building among cities and regions. As municipalities increasingly adopt data-driven approaches, understanding emerging technologies such as digital twins and virtual worlds is becoming essential.
The session helped participants:
- build a clear understanding of the Citiverse concept
- explore ways cities can engage in Citiverse-related initiatives
- identify how immersive technologies can support participatory decision-making
- learn about available support mechanisms and global collaboration opportunities
Watch the Webinar
