CitiVerse EDIC Launched in Valencia, Ushering in a New Era for Smart Cities in Europe
Image Credit: Conny Schneider | Splash
Dec 12, 2024 marked the official establishment of the CitiVerse European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) during its inaugural general assembly in Valencia. This significant milestone heralds a transformative era in cooperative smart city development, positioning CitiVerse EDIC as a global benchmark in the realm of urban innovation.
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Pioneering AI-Driven Urban Planning
CitiVerse EDIC is set to revolutionize urban planning across European cities by delivering advanced AI-based solutions. These technologies are designed to enhance essential urban management areas, including traffic, energy, and water systems. By providing reusable tools, the consortium aims to streamline the management processes, making cities more efficient and sustainable.
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Innovative Virtual Worlds and Citizen Engagement
One of the standout features of CitiVerse EDIC is its focus on immersive, virtual worlds-based technologies. These innovations will transform how citizens interact with their cities and local authorities. For example, residents will soon have access to virtual tours of planned city improvements, allowing them to visualize and engage with proposed changes in a more interactive and meaningful way. This approach not only fosters greater public involvement but also ensures that urban development aligns closely with the needs and desires of the community.
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Digital Twins and Simulation Tools
CitiVerse EDIC offers a comprehensive toolbox enabling participating cities to create their own digital twins—virtual replicas of their physical environments. These digital twins will allow cities to simulate various urban projects and model extreme, unpredictable events, such as the recent floods in the Valencia region. By anticipating and preparing for such events, cities can identify conditions to prevent future occurrences, enhancing resilience and sustainability.
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Consortium Membership and Expansion Plans
Currently comprising 14 EU Member States, CitiVerse EDIC is rapidly expanding its reach. A Smart Cities Network, formed by city associations, is actively connecting with cities across Europe to showcase the opportunities presented by the consortium. CitiVerse EDIC aims to onboard approximately 100 cities within the next two years, fostering a robust network that drives industry partnerships and addresses common urban challenges through shared solutions.
Alignment with EU Digital Decade Targets
CitiVerse EDIC exemplifies a multi-country initiative that supports the European Union’s Digital Decade targets and its strategy on virtual worlds. The consortium has secured over €80 million in investments from the Digital Europe Programme, underscoring the EU’s commitment to advancing digital infrastructure. Supported by the EU AI Office, CitiVerse EDIC is a key deliverable of the AI Innovation Package, with future initiatives including the integration of existing digital twins, incorporation of collaborative project results, and the development of comprehensive AI training programs.
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Understanding the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium
The European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) serves as a legal framework designed to facilitate the setup and implementation of multi-country digital projects within the EU. Established under the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, EDICs aim to accelerate digital initiatives by simplifying collaboration across Member States. Each EDIC is a legal entity recognized by all Member States, with governance structures defined by founding members and funded through member contributions and EU grants.
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Other Notable EDIC Initiatives
CitiVerse EDIC is among the first EDICs to be established, alongside other pioneering consortia such as:
Alliance for Language Technologies European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (ALT-EDIC): Focused on developing large language models for European languages to enhance AI capabilities while preserving linguistic diversity.
EUROPEUM-EDIC for European Blockchain Partnership and European Blockchain Service Infrastructure:Aiming to expand the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) to deliver cross-border public services and reinforce cyber resilience.
These initiatives collectively bolster Europe’s digital infrastructure, promoting innovation, interoperability, and technological excellence across various sectors.
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Source: KurzyCZ, European Commission
