Will the Metaverse be a type of Smart City?
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Will the Metaverse Be a Type of Smart City?
Introduction to the Metaverse and Smart Cities
The concept of the Metaverse, a virtual world where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users, is increasingly being discussed in the context of smart cities. Smart cities utilize information technology to manage city assets and services efficiently, aiming to improve the quality of life for their residents. The Metaverse, with its immersive and interactive capabilities, has the potential to transform smart cities into more dynamic and engaging environments.
Metaverse as an Extension of Smart Cities
Integration of Digital Twins and Urban Metaverse
The Metaverse can be seen as an extension of smart cities through the integration of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs are virtual replicas of physical entities, and their use in smart cities allows for real-time monitoring and management of urban infrastructure. The concept of MetaOmniCity demonstrates how the Metaverse can create high-fidelity virtual worlds that mirror real cities, enhancing urban experiences and improving the quality of life for residents1. This integration can lead to the development of MetaSocieties, where the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds are blurred, creating a seamless urban experience1.
Platformization and Urban Efficiency
The Metaverse represents a new form of platform society, where digital platforms dominate urban life. This platformization can enhance urban efficiency by leveraging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and DTs. These technologies provide rich datasets and advanced computational capabilities that can improve city design and service delivery, making cities more efficient and accountable2 6. However, this shift also raises ethical and social concerns, such as the impact on human interactions and the potential for increased surveillance2 5.
Challenges and Opportunities
Technological and Ethical Barriers
While the Metaverse offers numerous opportunities for smart cities, several challenges need to be addressed. Security and privacy concerns are significant barriers to the widespread adoption of Metaverse applications in smart cities9. Additionally, the resource constraints associated with XR-enabled IoT applications pose challenges for the Internet of City Things (IoCT)7. Ethical issues, such as digital addiction and the potential for social exclusion, also need to be considered4 9.
Economic and Social Sustainability
The Metaverse has the potential to contribute to the economic and social sustainability of smart cities. By creating virtual environments that mirror real cities, the Metaverse can support new forms of economic activity and social interaction. This can lead to more sustainable urban development by reducing the need for physical infrastructure and promoting more efficient use of resources2 6. However, it is crucial to ensure that the benefits of the Metaverse are distributed equitably and that all residents have access to its opportunities4.
Conclusion
The Metaverse has the potential to become a type of smart city by integrating advanced technologies and creating immersive virtual environments that enhance urban life. While there are significant opportunities for improving urban efficiency and sustainability, several challenges, including security, privacy, and ethical concerns, need to be addressed. As the Metaverse continues to evolve, it will be essential for policymakers, city planners, and other stakeholders to carefully consider these issues to ensure that the Metaverse contributes positively to the future of urban living.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
MetaOmniCity: Toward Immersive Urban Metaverse Cyberspaces Using Smart City Digital Twins
MetaOmniCity aims to create immersive urban metaverse cyberspaces using Smart City Digital Twins, blending real and virtual experiences, enhancing Quality of Life and promoting immersive globalization.
The Metaverse as a Virtual Form of Smart Cities: Opportunities and Challenges for Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability in Urban Futures
The Metaverse has the potential to redefine urban design and service provision, but ethical, human, social, and cultural concerns remain.
Literature Review
Highly CitedMetaverse Fundamental Technologies for Smart City: A Literature Review
Adopting the metaverse concept in smart cities requires careful planning and integration of various technologies, such as internet, VR, AR, IoT, AI, and blockchain.
Literature ReviewThe Social Shaping of the Metaverse as an Alternative to the Imaginaries of Data-Driven Smart Cities: A Study in Science, Technology, and Society
The Metaverse is socially constructed and value-laden, requiring public participation and democratic control to avoid ethical and social concerns.
Highly CitedThe Metaverse as a Virtual Form of Data-Driven Smart Urbanism: On Post-Pandemic Governance through the Prism of the Logic of Surveillance Capitalism
The Metaverse, a virtual city based on AI, IoT, Big Data, and XR technologies, may lead to undemocratic and unethical post-pandemic urban governance due to its reliance on surveillance capitalism.
Platformization and the Metaverse: Opportunities and Challenges for Urban Sustainability and Economic Development
The Metaverse can revolutionize urban design and public services, potentially improving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, but it also raises ethical, human, and social concerns.
Harnessing the Potential of the Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence for the Internet of City Things: Cost-Effective XReality and Synergistic AIoT Technologies
This study explores the potential applications and challenges of integrating XR technologies and AIoT in the Internet of City Things, highlighting synergistic opportunities for urban development.
Literature ReviewExtensible Metaverse Implication for a Smart Tourism City
The extended metaverse platform is more flexible and user-friendly, enhancing user satisfaction and tourism experiences in smart destinations.
Analyzing Barriers to Metaverse Application In Smart Cities: A DEMATEL-Based Approach
Security and privacy concerns, as well as digital addiction, are the most significant barriers to metaverse applications in smart cities.
Metaverse Communications, Networking, Security, and Applications: Research Issues, State-of-the-Art, and Future Directions
Metaverse integration in smart cities faces privacy and security challenges, but blockchain technologies can enhance content sharing and social good applications.
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