Cities all over the world are investigating how they may use metaverse technology to deliver public services more efficiently, engage citizens, and increase activity in downtown or business districts.
In the immersive virtual environment known as the metaverse, users not only browse the internet but also interact to carry out many of the same activities as they would in the real world, including socializing, taking classes, shopping, and even traveling.
Dubai announced its own metaverse strategy last month, which aims to turn the city into “one of the world’s top ten metaverse economies” and “a global hub for the metaverse community.” The strategy also aims to foster innovation, attract new companies to Dubai, support metaverse education, and apply Web3 technology to create new governmental work models.
Using the technology in various ways is also possible for cities with less ambitious objectives. Lena Geraghty, director of sustainability and innovation at the National League of Cities, says the epidemic showed how important it is to have simple means to tell individuals about public health crises or the time of the next farmer’s market.
“By moving into the metaverse, information becomes even more interactive and feels more personalized, so end users are better able to receive it” she said.
Modern metaverse projects frequently integrate and build upon already-existing technologies. For instance, the Boston Planning Department produced a digital twin, or virtual counterpart, of the city a number of years ago. In the past, wooden models had been utilized by city planners to assist in designing the city’s future and demonstrate to citizens the effects of impending infrastructure changes. Esri, a provider of geographic information software (GIS) that collaborated with the city on its digital twin, stated that the models were labor-intensive and unable to replicate the impact of sun or wind.
To “raise excitement” for the project, the city of Los Angeles built a virtual replica of the Sixth Street Viaduct bridge that it restored and unveiled to the public this summer, according to Michael Zyda, professor of engineering practice at the University of Southern California.
According to Zyda, metaverse technology could simplify the approval process for citizens’ construction and renovation projects. For instance, if a resident needed permission to build a new roof, Zyda suggested that “if a resident could first develop the new roof in the metaverse, that might make [the procedure] easier.”
Metaverse deployments could potentially be used by cities to increase interest in their real enterprises. FlickPlay and the city of Santa Monica are working together to introduce a play-to-earn metaverse app. Users of the program in the city’s central business district can access digital prizes and collections and then exchange them for tangible goods at nearby shops.