Press release
What if everyone could truly understand how their city is evolving – and help shape it? That is the ambition of x-CITE (Expanding the Experience of Citizens through Extended Reality), a new 30-month project co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme and 11 European partners. With a total budget of €6.49 million, x-CITE is building immersive tools to make urban policies and planning more visible, tangible and interactive. At its core is the CitiVerse, a human-centred virtual twin of the city that citizens can explore and influence. Real-life trials will take place in Rotterdam, Tampere and Flanders, turning public participation into a powerful, lived experience.
Flanders, Rotterdam and Tampere pioneer the European CitiVerse – making smart cities inclusive and participatory
“We’re building a bridge between citizens and the digital city. With x-CITE, we don’t just show data – we let people experience it. That makes participation real, personal, and powerful.”
— Marko Teräs, Project Manager City of Tampere
Why Europe Invests in x-CITE
x-CITE is part of a broader ambition: to make Europe’s digital transformation inclusive, ethical and citizen-driven. The EU’s Digital Europe Programme invests in projects like x-CITE to ensure that emerging technologies – such as AI, XR and cloud services – serve public values and social needs.
x-CITE helps cities become more transparent, inclusive and responsive – using digital innovation not as a goal, but as a means to empower people.
Real world impact: Pilot Use Cases Across Europe
Three cities and regions – Rotterdam, Tampere, and Flanders – will serve as living
labs where citizens test these digital tools in real settings.
- Flanders Making Environmental Reports Understandable
Leen, a busy mom of two in Flanders, used to feel overwhelmed when trying to understand long environmental reports. “What does this plan mean for my children’s health, for local trees, for traffic noise?” she wondered. Then came CitiVerse.
Instead of reading dozens of pages, Leen could now see the impact of new planning options directly – in a visual, immersive experience. Would a new road increase air pollution near her home? Would a park reduce noise levels? She could explore it all. For the first time, she felt informed, empowered and involved. “Now I know what’s at stake – and I know how to speak up,” she says.
In this use case, the Flemish government will make Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) more transparent and accessible, turning passive documents into powerful tools for citizen dialogue and co-creation.
- Rotterdam Giving Citizens a Voice in Urban Planning
Emma, a resident of Rotterdam, often felt that decisions about her neighbourhood were made behind closed doors. When a redevelopment plan was announced, she tried to understand it, but the documents were long and confusing. Through CitiVerse, Emma could explore a 3D virtual model of the future neighbourhood, walk through the new streets, and see what would change. She could give feedback directly inside the platform and watch how the city adapted plans based on community input. For the first time, she felt seen, heard, and part of the conversation.
This use case turns urban planning into a shared experience, where citizens like Emma help shape their own environment.
- Tampere Discovering Local Heritage Through Virtual Stories
Mikko, a student in Tampere, never cared much for history – until he tried the new CitiVerse app at school. Suddenly, medieval markets, old factories, and famous local figures came to life around him through augmented reality. By walking through the city and unlocking historical stories at each landmark, Mikko became genuinely curious. His schoolwork improved, and he even got his friends involved.
This use case shows how digital twins and XR can bring culture to life, especially for young people – strengthening local identity and community pride.
Consortium Partners
x-CITE unites 11 full partners and 1 affiliated entity from Finland, Belgium, and
the Netherlands:
- City of Tampere – Finland (Coordinator)
- Nokia Technologies – Finland
- Flemish Government – Belgium
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec) – Belgium
- Cegeka – Belgium
- Transport & Mobility Leuven – Belgium
- Howest University of Applied Sciences – Belgium
- City of Rotterdam – Netherlands
- Future Insight Group – Netherlands
- OASC (Open & Agile Smart Cities & Communities) – Belgium
- Krill Design – Netherlands
- Telraam – Belgium (Affiliated Entity)
Stay tuned
- Website: www.xcitecitiverse.eu
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xcite-project/
- Email: contact@xcitecitiverse.eu
