MetaCity - shaping the smart cities of the future

MetaCity aims to explore opportunities in metaverse, digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and share its insights and best practices to shape the smart cities of the future.

The project

The rise of digitalization has proven to be a positive force for economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Through innovative technologies and digital solutions, communities are empowered through increased dialog and influence. It also reduces resource consumption and increases access to essential services. It paves the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Metacity is about helping small and medium-sized cities become more competitive. It is about finding ways to use metaverse technologies to make cities better. With metaverse technology, cities can create digital places where people can learn, get healthcare, go sightseeing and use public services. It also makes it easier to communicate with others and use services remotely. It helps smaller cities compete with larger ones. Metaverse technology helps cities to be more innovative, grow economically and ensure that residents have access to modern solutions that make their lives better.

The participants in the project.

What is the Metaverse?

Metaverse technologies are the digital technologies that create virtual worlds where people can interact with each other and digital objects. It is an advanced form of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) that aims to create a comprehensive and interconnected digital environment where users can engage in various activities and interactions, similar to real life.

The environments and virtual worlds are created by linking advanced 3D graphics, computer games, social networks and other digital platforms. This way, we can create a coherent and immersive experience where people can work, socialize, shop, learn and explore through these virtual meeting places.

MetaCity

MetaCity is an international network funded by the URBACT program and is part of a broader strategy to develop the capacity of cities to use modern technologies to improve the quality of life of their inhabitants and strengthen urban sustainability. The goal for the municipality of Härnösand is to develop an action plan where digital technology plays a major role in shaping the city for future generations.

Participants are small and medium-sized cities and universities in:

Härnösand, Sweden
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Razlog, Bulgaria
Åbo Akademi University, Uusikaarlepyy, Finland
Nevers, France
ISI, Patras, Greece
Campobasso, Italy
Písek, Czech Republic
Újbuda, Hungary

The project is led by Fundão, Portugal.

Baseline analysis and network roadmap

The project's common baseline presents the initial scenario of the network's cities - where they stand and where they want to be in this great digital evolution, and how we in Metacity plan to make part of this path together. The conclusions and plans are presented in this report.

Current situation analysis and roadmap for the cities in the network (PDF)

What's next?

June 2024
Third international network meeting in Tampere Finland. Participation in the Imagine the Metaverse conference June 11-12 and meeting with the municipality on their development of Tampere Metaverse Vision 2040.

April 2024

Second international network meeting in Újbuda, Hungary.

March 2024
The action plan starts to take shape. The local working group is expanded with two more people, from the social and school administration.

November 2023
First international network meeting in Pisek, Czech Republic.

October 2023

The local working group is formed and meets for a first workshop. Participants from several of the municipality's administrations are included in the group, but also participants from the municipal companies HEMAB and Technichus are included in the group. In addition, Örnsköldsvik municipality has a representative and DIGG a representative in the group.

September 2023

The project's lead party, Fundão in Portugal, and the network's lead expert visit Härnösand. They had the opportunity to visit our VR studio and see all our innovative solutions in urban planning and urban development. We showed them how Härnösand is leading the way towards a more exciting and digitally-driven future. Eurico Neves, lead expert in the MetaCity project, describes the visit in an article External link., an experience full of insights and opportunities for Härnösand and other participating project countries.