“I want to go there now!” How digital twins can support accessibility and participation in cities
Across Europe, cities are investing in digital twins, AI and immersive technologies to better plan and manage urban environments. But these technologies also have the potential to support accessibility, participation and inclusion in everyday urban life.
This is what the digital experience of Gothenburg could look like.
For many citizens, uncertainty about accessibility, crowds or unfamiliar environments can become a barrier to participation. What does the place look like? Where is the wheelchair entrance? How loud will it be? Is there a quiet space nearby? These questions can determine whether people are able to participate at all.
The EU co-funded project European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness is exploring how digital twins, AI and immersive technology can help people experience and prepare for urban environments before visiting them physically.
The first prototype is being developed using “Virtual Gothenburg”, the digital replica of the Swedish city of Gothenburg. By combining immersive technology, AI and the city’s digital twin, the project makes it possible to explore entrances, seating areas, lighting conditions and sound environments directly from a computer, tablet or phone.
For many families, activities like attending a city event require detailed planning. Being able to explore a place digitally beforehand could make a huge difference
says Jenny Lindström Beijar from Our Normal Association, who contributes with inclusive user research and universal design expertise to the project.
The project recently published the insight report I want to go there now!, summarising interviews, surveys and inclusive user research with families of children with disabilities and diverse accessibility needs.
While the first use case focuses on families of children with disabilities, the ambition is broader. The long-term ambition is to contribute knowledge, methods and practical experiences to the growing European ecosystem around Local Digital Twins and human-centred Citiverse development.
“Many cities are investing in digital twins for urban planning. This project shows how the same technology can also contribute to greater accessibility and create new, more inclusive ways of experiencing the city,” says Project Manager Anna Wennblad, Lindholmen Science Park, technical coordinator of the project.
The project brings together 12 partners from across Europe, including public authorities, academia, research institutes, technology companies and civil society organisations. It is led by the City of Gothenburg and co-funded through the Digital Europe Programme.
Prototype tests, where the users can explore a place digitally, before the physical visit.
Facts and figures
- The project started on 1st October 2025 and will end on 31st March 2027.
- The first prototype will be live at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, November 2026.
- Website: https://cu-project.eu
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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