The event focused on identifying tangible ways for cities to tackle their challenges using smart technology and data. Companies had the opportunity to present their solutions directly to top-level representatives from international cities. The challenges addressed topics such as sustainability, mobility, well-being, and safety.
Tampere's challenge focused on improving urban safety through data and enhancing the city’s vitality. The Finnish company Unikie was selected as the winner. Other winners included Wapice (Rotterdam), Bizztech (Istanbul), Intelli Alert (Las Rozas de Madrid), Future Insight (Phoenix), Placenet (Valencia), and Commu (Thames Freeport, London). Cities and companies will have the opportunity to continue developing these solutions together after the event.
In the opening keynote, Teppo Rantanen, Executive Director of Economic Policy, Competitiveness and Innovation at the City of Tampere, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in shaping the citiverse. The term citiverse, used by the European Union, refers to the growing convergence of physical and digital urban environments in everyday services and life.
– At IMAGINE, we are seeking exactly this—practical solutions and real impact for citizens. Our goal is to bring the global community of cities together around these questions and answers, Rantanen noted.
The partnership, signed by the cities along with The Metaverse Institute and Urban Innovators Global, aims to advance citiverse development through collective effort.
The first day of the event culminated in the signing of the Lighthouse Association agreement, which encourages cities and research institutions to co-develop a human-centric citiverse. Alongside Tampere, the cities of Istanbul, Rotterdam, and Valencia, as well as Urban Innovators Global and The Metaverse Institute, committed to this initiative.
– The Lighthouse collaboration brings together those who want to be at the forefront of citiverse development. Our mission is to actively innovate for the benefit of our residents and lead the way for others. By learning and exploring together, we will achieve the best results, Rantanen said.
