- Seoul becomes the world’s first major city to launch own metaverse platform
- Tampere unveils Metaverse Vision 2040
- NEOM’s cognitive metaverse platform seamlessly integrates the virtual and real worlds
The metaverse — it’s a term that conjures images of infinite digital realms and has become a catchphrase for the next wave of technological evolution. But is it really the next big thing or just another passing fad? While the answer to this question is still up in the air, that hasn’t deterred a number of cities from taking their first tentative steps into this virtual expanse. As urban centres grapple with the multifaceted challenges of contemporary life, from economic pressures to infrastructural demands, the metaverse presents an intriguing opportunity to address some of those challenges. It’s not merely a playground for the technologically curious but a potential arena for significant advancement in how cities operate and serve their inhabitants.
According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, it is anticipated that close to 700 cities will incorporate metaverse elements into their operational and planning processes by the end of this decade. This innovative technology could become a valuable asset in complex urban landscapes, enabling cities to enhance interaction with government services, facilitate virtual tourism, and support the design and maintenance of smart infrastructure. The metaverse could also be a powerful ally in designing cities that are not only smarter but also greener and more sustainable, playing a key role in the push towards net zero goals and circular economies. In this article, we will take a closer look at how some of the cities are leveraging metaverse technology to address current urban challenges and explore its role in crafting an efficient, equitable, and sustainable urban future.
“Metaverse Seoul will be an important communication tool for citizens in the new normal. It is an inclusive administrative service that everyone can take advantage of without any time and space obstacles”.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon
Seoul becomes the world’s first major city to launch own metaverse platform
The first major city in the world to launch its own metaverse platform is the South Korean capital Seoul. Unveiled by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in January 2023, Metaverse Seoul enables citizens to access a wide range of city services in a virtual environment, as well as enjoy various fun activities. “Metaverse Seoul will be an important communication tool for citizens in the new normal”, says Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. “It is an inclusive administrative service that everyone can take advantage of without any time and space obstacles”. Initially available only to a limited number of users during a closed beta stage, the platform has since been rolled out across the nation and can be accessed by anyone by simply downloading the app from the Google Play or Apple App Store.
The official rollout will proceed in three phases. In the first phase, the platform will provide access to various city services. Among other things, citizens of Seoul will be able to access official documentation, get help with their taxes, and even register complaints. The platform will also include a business support centre, where companies will be able to schedule virtual consultations with experts, which can be conducted through chat, voice, or video. There is also a section designed specifically with adolescents and teens in mind. It enables them to seek mentoring and education help through an integrated avatar-based counselling service. Last but not least, the platform will also include some entertainment features, which enable visitors to play games in a virtual replica of Seoul Plaza or explore some of the city’s most popular touring attractions, ranging from Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village to Seoul Forest Park and Han River.
In the second phase, which is expected to be rolled out in 2024, city officials plan to incorporate even more services into the platform, with a particular focus on fostering connections between local industries and foreign investors. In the third phase, the day-to-day running of the city’s infrastructure will be enriched with the addition of virtual and augmented reality technologies. Officials hope that the citizens will eventually be able to access all of the city’s administrative services through the platform and plan to invest around $3.8 million to achieve this goal. “Seoul will spare no effort to provide initial services stably and become a first mover to maintain its title as the world’s first city to create a public metaverse platform”, adds Oh.
“For us, the metaverse is not merely a virtual realm but a continually evolving digital environment seamlessly integrated into the real city”.
Tiia Joki, development manager for the city of Tampere
Tampere unveils Metaverse Vision 2040
Another city that is looking to establish a presence in the metaverse is Finland’s Tampere. At this point, the project is still in its early stages, with the city exploring ways in which the technology could benefit residents as well as businesses operating in the city. “We think it’s something where we will be able to combine virtual reality and the ‘real reality’ in a way that helps our citizens to live their lives better and find that everything works better in a city”, explains Teppo Rantanen, executive director for the city. “There are a number of things happening right now, and we think that, rather than looking at some isolated tests, we should be looking at the holistic view. We are on a journey”. To this end, city officials have held numerous workshops and discussions with cities in other parts of the world, including Japan and some other Nordic countries, as well as major tech companies like Microsoft, Nokia, and Bosch, and even some universities. According to Rantanen, the metaverse could have a number of useful applications in areas like healthcare, utilities, mobility, and safety & security. Among other things, it could significantly improve citizen engagement and help address some of the challenges the country’s healthcare system is grappling with, such as budget deficits and staff shortages.
In partnership with The Metaverse Institute, a leading strategy consulting organisation for the metaverse, the city recently launched the Tampere Metaverse Vision 2040, the world’s first people-centred metaverse strategy. The document outlines a vision of the future where technologies like artificial intelligence and the metaverse are woven directly into the social fabric of the city, improving the quality of life for its citizens through intelligent, personalised services in a wide range of areas. The metaverse could open up new ways for every resident to have a say in how Tampere is run, making sure the city listens to what its people want and need. It could also enable tourists and companies to explore the city in a virtual environment and immerse themselves in its culture before they actually set foot in it. Perhaps most importantly, it could help the city reach its carbon neutrality goals by simulating various scenarios using digital twins, allowing authorities to put their ideas to the test before committing to them in the real world. “Metaverse intertwines numerous themes and concepts that are already being pursued and those on the horizon, such as data utilisation, digital twins, virtual realities, and artificial intelligence. Hence, the concept is now prominently emerging. For us, the metaverse is not merely a virtual realm but a continually evolving digital environment seamlessly integrated into the real city”, says Tiia Joki, development manager for the city of Tampere.
“The future will be defined not by megacities but by cognitive meta-cities. It is a vision focused on experiences rather than scale”.
Joseph Bradley, the CEO of NEOM Tech & Digital Company
NEOM’s cognitive metaverse platform seamlessly integrates the virtual and real worlds
In the sweeping sands of Saudi Arabia, the futuristic city of NEOM is slowly starting to take shape. Conceived by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2020, this $500-billion metropolis will sprawl over 263,000 hectares and will be able to hold nine million people once complete, their daily lives augmented by an army of robotic aides. The city will operate as a net-zero carbon entity, with a large portion of its surface dedicated to green areas. As the next stage in the city’s development, NEOM Tech & Digital Company recently unveiled a new metaverse platform called XVRS, where the virtual and real worlds blend seamlessly with one another with the help of artificial intelligence and hyper-connected technologies. “The future will be defined not by megacities but by cognitive meta-cities. It is a vision focused on experiences rather than scale. XVRS puts human needs at its core”, says Joseph Bradley, the CEO of NEOM Tech & Digital Company.
Described by the company as a ‘cognitive digital twin metaverse’, XVRS will enable visitors to virtually explore various locations around Neom in the form of an avatar, a hologram, or even a robotic avatar. They will also be able to interact with the people they encounter there and even buy cryptocurrencies or NFTs through the integrated marketplace. The platform will also include a digital recreation of every building in the city, which the visitors will be able to customise in accordance with their needs and desires and perhaps even see their choices reflected in the real world, whether it’s the colour of the wallpaper or an NFT they placed on the virtual apartment’s wall. It will also be possible to influence the future development of the city, with officials revealing they would consider building certain virtual properties in the real world if they prove particularly popular among virtual visitors. “One experience model that we talked about is actually informing the construction of NEOM before an asset is built”, adds Bradley. “This could allow folks to interact with designs that are not yet completed”.
Closing thoughts
As cities around the globe embrace the metaverse, we are witnessing the dawn of an era where the fusion of virtual and physical realities can completely reshape urban life. From streamlining administrative services to enhancing citizen engagement and driving sustainability efforts, the metaverse is proving to be a versatile tool for innovation in urban planning and governance. The implications of these developments could signal a monumental shift in how we experience and interact with the cities of the future. However, as we stand at the cusp of this new digital frontier, one must wonder about the potential challenges the metaverse might bring. What happens to the traditional fabric of our cities when virtual interactions become as commonplace as physical ones? And, perhaps more importantly, how will the inevitable digital divide affect the urban experience for those less connected or not so technologically adept? Could the metaverse, in its quest to build a more integrated and efficient urban future, inadvertently create a new kind of inequality? These are crucial questions that must be addressed as more cities embark on their journey into the metaverse.
