The project, European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness, brings together 12 partners from across Europe, including public actors, academia, research institutes, tech companies, and civil society, according to the project's official statement. The first prototype uses Virtuella Göteborg, the digital copy of Gothenburg, and focuses on families with children with disabilities. The tool will allow users to explore entrances, seating, light, and sound levels from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
The goal is a tailored, interactive digital twin integrated into a web-based tool. Jenny Lindström Beijar, a representative from the Our Normal Association, said that for many families, activities like going to a city event require careful planning, and being able to explore a place digitally in advance could make a huge difference. Eric Jeansson, project manager for Virtuella Göteborg, said the digital twin offers new opportunities to highlight accessibility and universal design, helping to plan and build a city that works for everyone.
The project aims to help cities better understand people's different needs and create more inclusive environments from the start.