A surge in forecasts is fueling excitement for the metaverse, suggesting its proliferation in as many as 700 cities by 2030. The driving force behind this momentum is the concept of the urban metaverse, set to utilize digital twins, augmented and virtual reality technologies, to enable advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis with the overarching goal of making cities more environmentally friendly.
Industry expert Bonte envisions a future where digital twins and immersive technologies will be harnessed for purposes such as evaluating the carbon storage capacity of green infrastructure, monitoring carbon emissions, and managing carbon credit systems. As urban environments look for sustainable solutions, the metaverse is poised to play a pivotal role.
Several cities are already making significant strides in the realm of the urban metaverse. For instance, Seoul has emerged as one of the pioneers, having already launched its own urban metaverse initiative. Meanwhile, Tampere, Finland, has introduced a visionary “metaverse vision” for 2040 in partnership with the Metaverse Institute, underscoring the global reach of this technological movement.
The city of Orlando, Florida, has also embraced its role as a physical epicenter for metaverse development, led by the Orlando Economic Partnership. These efforts are indicative of the momentum building around metaverse technologies within urban landscapes.
Urban metaverse initiatives are centered on the creation of immersive 3D experiences, amalgamating digital twins, augmented, virtual, and mixed realities, avatars, AI, cloud computing, and mobile devices. The convergence of these technologies promises to transform the way people experience and interact with their urban surroundings.
However, despite the enthusiasm and investment in the metaverse, some voices in the industry are expressing concerns about its sustainability. While the future of the metaverse remains uncertain, it is already clear that it has captured the imagination of legends in sports and various other domains.
In recent months, the metaverse has attracted notable figures such as Valentino Rossi, who has ventured into the Web3 space with his “ValeVerse” on The Sandbox. Partnering with Animoca Brands and Gravitaslabs, the nine-time MotoGP champion’s metaverse offers immersive experiences and digital collectibles, marking an exciting foray into this evolving digital world.
Soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero has also entered the metaverse with his new dimension, “ADP Metaverse,” designed to engage fans in Web3 experiences.
Moreover, automobile giant Honda has ventured into the NFT space, launching a limited edition NFT in Japan during the FORMULA 1™ Honda & Red Bull welcome event in Tokyo. This further demonstrates the widening appeal and diverse applications of the metaverse in various industries, cementing its position as a transformative force in the digital landscape.
