GATE Institute is one of the 12 partners in the European project “European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness”, funded under the Digital Europe Programme.
GATE’s participation is through its “Cities of the Future” research direction, which is developing the Digital Twin of Sofia in collaboration with Sofia Municipality. At the core of the development is the modeling and analysis of urban data from a wide range of sources — geospatial, demographic, transport, environmental, energy, and infrastructure data. A broad spectrum of technologies based on big data, artificial intelligence, and physics-based simulations is used to conduct analyses supporting informed decision-making related to urban environmental quality (air and noise), climate change (urban heat island effect and heat risk), mobility and walkability, energy efficiency, urban planning, and more.
The creation of the digital twin is supported by the so-called urban data space. As a hub of the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), GATE acts as a catalyst for national efforts in data usage and sharing by building a secure and sovereign environment in which all stakeholders can leverage the potential of data to create new services, products, and business models.
The project “European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness” aims to develop new approaches for the use of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and virtual and augmented reality technologies for improved urban planning and management, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusiveness.
By providing technological tools for testing and visualizing accessibility, cities can identify barriers earlier and make more informed decisions in urban planning, event management, and citizen services.
“Cities across Europe are using digital twins as tools for planning and decision-making. With this project, we want to demonstrate how the same technology can help create more inclusive, connected, and human-centered cities,” says project manager Anna Wenblad.
The first prototype is being developed based on the digital twin of the Swedish city of Gothenburg — “Virtual Gothenburg.” Through it, users can virtually explore the urban environment, including entrances, seating areas, lighting, noise conditions, and the occupancy of public spaces, using a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
The project is also aimed at facilitating planning for families of children with disabilities, for whom the accessibility of the urban environment is often a key factor in participating in public and cultural events.
“The possibility of exploring a place in advance within a virtual environment can change the way people plan their participation in urban life,” the project team notes.
The European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness project is implemented by a consortium of 12 partners from across Europe, including public institutions, universities, research organizations, technology companies, and civil society organizations.
The project brings together 12 partners from different European countries — including public institutions, universities, research centers, technology companies, and civic organizations. The lead partner is the City of Gothenburg.
In the long term, the ambition is for digital twins to become practical tools for creating more inclusive, connected, and human-centered cities across Europe.
The first demonstration prototype is expected to be presented at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona in November 2026.