Technology that opens up the city
How can future technology help create greater inclusion?
European Citiverse Uniting for Inclusiveness (CU) is an EU-funded collaborative project aiming to break down barriers in our digital urban environments. By exploring emerging technologies, the project seeks to create city spaces where more people can participate – on equal terms.
The Assignment
Citiverse brings together technologies such as real-time data and digital twin environments to develop an interactive platform for inclusive and accessible city and event experiences. The goal is to explore how technology can lower the thresholds that prevent people from accessing the city’s offerings.
Our Normal contributes by leading a user-centered design process based on the principles of universal design. We bring in perspectives from families with children with different abilities – as well as other user groups often overlooked in conventional urban planning.
Our Approach
We gather insights through interviews and close collaboration with users who have diverse needs, experiences, and life situations. A key focus is to highlight the needs of people of all ages (children and youth in particular) with different abilities. The aim is to identify both barriers and opportunities for increasing participation in digital and physical urban environments.
The work is iterative and done in close dialogue with the project’s data, design, and development teams. Together, we explore how users’ needs can be met through technology – and how design ideas can support greater accessibility and inclusion. These insights feed into the development of a digital twin application – a virtual version of the city – where accessible and inclusive services are an integral part of the design.
Project status
The project runs through 2027.
Insights and learnings on user needs and inclusive design will be shared continuously.
Final results will be published after project completion.
Follow the project at its website.
