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Metaverse Meets Smart Cities—Applications, Benefits, and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Florian Maier

    (Zentrum für Digitale Entwicklung GmbH, 73463 Westhausen, Germany)

  • Markus Weinberger

    (Faculty of Electronics and Computer Science, Aalen University of Applied Science, 73430 Aalen, Germany)

Abstract

The metaverse aims to merge the virtual and real worlds. The target is to generate a virtual community where social components play a crucial role and combine different areas such as entertainment, work, shopping, and services. This idea is explicitly appealing in the context of smart cities. The metaverse offers digitalization approaches and can strengthen citizens’ social community. While the existing literature covers the exemplary potential of smart city metaverse applications, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential and already implemented metaverse applications in the context of cities and municipalities. In addition, challenges related to these applications are identified. The study combines literature reviews and expert interviews to ensure a broad overview. Forty-eight smart city metaverse applications from eleven areas were identified, and actual projects from eleven cities demonstrate the current state of development. Still, further research should evaluate the benefits of the various applications and find strategies to overcome the identified challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Florian Maier & Markus Weinberger, 2024. "Metaverse Meets Smart Cities—Applications, Benefits, and Challenges," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:16:y:2024:i:4:p:126-:d:1371689
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zaheer Allam & Ayyoob Sharifi & Simon Elias Bibri & David Sydney Jones & John Krogstie, 2022. "The Metaverse as a Virtual Form of Smart Cities: Opportunities and Challenges for Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability in Urban Futures," Post-Print hal-03997438, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leyli Nouraei Yeganeh & Nicole Scarlett Fenty & Yu Chen & Amber Simpson & Mohsen Hatami, 2025. "The Future of Education: A Multi-Layered Metaverse Classroom Model for Immersive and Inclusive Learning," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-55, February.
    2. Nicoletta González-Cancelas & Javier Vaca-Cabrero & Alberto Camarero-Orive, 2025. "Key Factors for the Implementation of the Metaverse in Spanish Ports: An Evaluation Based on a Prioritization Matrix," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.

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