The metaverse is revolutionizing our digital lives, from the gaming world to global business meetings and interactive festivals. But cities and municipalities are also benefit from the metaverse. What’s behind the term and what advantages the digital world brings can be found here.
What is the metaverse?
The metaverse is a digital world that is created by merging the real environment with augmented, virtual reality and the internet. Basically, the metaverse is a immersive and interactive environment that links our real world with a digital environment, offering users various benefits, such as interacting in real time and creating digital objects, as well as experiencing different virtual experiences. The Metaverse uses technologies such as VR and AR headsets, haptic feedback devices, 3D models, blockchain and artificial intelligence. It offers opportunities for social interactions, commerce, education, entertainment and much more and has the potential to fundamentally change the way we communicate, work and play.
Digression into the history
Even in ancient times, stories such as that of King Gilgamesh showed that people were interested in other worlds and fictional states. These cultural roots, combined with significant technological breakthroughs, form the foundation of the metaverse as we know it today. The following graphic shows various milestones and innovations that have particularly shaped the metaverse.
How can cities and municipalities benefit?
The metaverse offers a wide range of opportunities to create added value in a smart city. Planning components and services play a particularly important role here. A few possible use cases are listed here:
Urban planning & simulation
- Urban planning and risk management: Virtual models enable precise planning and simulation of urban development projects as well as assessment and preparation for possible risks.
- Environmental monitoring and management: Real-time monitoring of environmental data and conditions supports sustainable urban development.
- Renewable energy planning: Tools for planning and optimizing renewable energy and energy savings.
Tourism:
- Virtual city tours: Visitors can explore sights and historical places virtually.
Content
- City marketing: Interactive experiences and virtual tours can increase interest in the city and attract more tourists.
Retail & Industry:
- Virtual shopping centers: Online retail platforms offer new shopping experiences and extend the reach of local stores.
- Digital workplace offerings: Providing virtual work environments for companies and their employees.
- Platform for KMUs: Small and medium-sized enterprises can use the Metaverse to simulate business processes and develop new marketing strategies.
- Local marketing: Virtual spaces offer local companies innovative opportunities to present their products and services.
The metaverse can thus play a key role in the digital transformation of cities and communities by offering new approaches to planning, business and social interactions.
Further information in our current white paper
Our new white paper, written by Florian Maier and Prof. Dr. Markus Weinberger, offers in-depth insights into the potential of the metaverse. Download now for free!
