Page 21 - UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and
the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

As drivers of social and economic development, cities and communities
can support the achievement of Goal 11 while deriving significant
benefits from virtual worlds. These benefits can range from metaverse-
enabled smart and sustainable participatory urban planning and
development to virtual tourism and the ability to promote the use of
sustainable and resilient infrastructure [b-Smart Cities]. The challenge
for policymakers is to balance the benefits of virtual worlds with efforts
to address privacy, security, and environmental concerns.

As virtual world technologies integrate with urban environments, privacy and security concerns
must be considered carefully. With the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data in smart
cities powered by virtual world technologies, protecting the privacy of inhabitants and ensuring
the security of sensitive information becomes paramount. Robust data protection measures and
transparency in data collection and usage are essential to maintain public trust and safeguard
privacy rights. Furthermore, unless implemented sustainably, additional communications
infrastructure to power the metaverse in cities, or the CitiVerse, can exacerbate the negative
impact of cities on the environment. [b-BBC]

Still, virtual worlds offer an opportunity to utilize immersive experiences for all inhabitants
through participatory urban planning. By creating virtual replicas of cities and utilising the
metaverse as a platform for public consultation and feedback, urban planning processes can
become more inclusive and participatory. Virtual simulations and immersive experiences can
enable inhabitants to explore and engage with proposed urban and civic projects, allowing
them to provide valuable input and shape the future of their communities. [b-Landvault]

Moreover, virtual world-enabled solutions hold the potential to promote sustainable and
resilient infrastructure. Through the integration of metaverse technologies, cities can optimize
resource management and improve energy efficiency. Virtual sensors and digital twins can
monitor and analyse data in real-time, enabling more informed decision-making for sustainable
urban development [b-Bloomberg]. Virtual worlds can also serve as a testing ground for
innovative solutions that drive sustainability, resilience, and the achievement of Goal 11.

Case study: Metaverse Seoul

Metaverse Seoul, developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, aims to create a digital twin
of the city. The Metaverse Seoul platform allows urban planners, architects, and policymakers to
visualize, analyse and simulate various urban scenarios to optimize infrastructure, transportation,
and utilities, fostering data-driven decision-making and the assessment of environmental
impact for new urban development projects. With the launch of the first stage which allows
inhabitants to explore their virtual environment, the project is expected to be completed by
2026 [b-Smart Seoul].

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