Accessible by Design: Putting accessibility at the heart of Europe’s Local Digital Twins
Joint network launching a new European collaboration on citizen-centred digital twins
A new European network dedicated to citizen-centred Local Digital Twins (LDTs) and Citiverses launches on 6 October with a half-day online event: Accessible by Design: Launching the Citizen-Centric LDT Network
Initiated by the European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness project, the network will grow through collaboration with the LDT CitiVERSE EDIC ecosystem. It brings together cities, public authorities, researchers, industry and civil society organisations to share experiences and explore how accessibility, universal design and citizen-centred approaches can contribute to the development of Local Digital Twins and Citiverses across Europe.
"Right now, the EU27 digital accessibility index sits at a glaring 47.5 out of 100, according to the European Commission's eGovernment Benchmark 2025 report. As municipalities upgrade legacy platforms, like health services and land registries, and expand their digital twins into connected environments, they have a prime window to close this gap. Universal design transforms complex urban tools into reliable solutions that save time, boosting citizen satisfaction, trust, and resilience. On 6 October, we are putting the business case on the table for developers and policymakers to show how early digital accessibility drives economic impact and a better user experience."
Loredana Gavrilescu, Business Development Lead, European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness project, Iceberg Plus
"Local Digital Twins are ultimately about creating value for citizens. This event marks the start of an initiative together with the LDT CitiVERSE EDIC, bringing cities together around accessibility and Universal Design from the outset. We invite municipalities and private sector organisations to join the network, share experiences and explore how citizen-centred approaches can contribute to the development of Local Digital Twins across Europe."
Anna Wennblad, Project Leader, European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness project, Lindholmen Science Park
From Gothenburg to a European discussion
The programme will take participants from technical standards and practical applications to the wider European strategy for Local Digital Twins and citiverses.
A key contribution will come from Jan Wester, Director of the LDT CitiVERSE EDIC, who will address how interoperability can help secure quality and trust across Europe’s emerging Local Digital Twin ecosystem.
The agenda will also feature a live demonstration of inclusive wayfinding using avatars and chatbots, insights into the economic and market potential of Universal Design, lessons from applying accessibility and geospatial standards in Gothenburg’s Digital Twin, and sessions exploring intelligent systems, responsible AI and the modelling of human behaviour.
The event will conclude with a roundtable on collaborative and sustainable city solutions, bringing the discussion from individual technologies and standards towards their practical adoption by European cities.
The event closes with an open invitation to join the emerging network: a collaborative space for sharing good practice on citizen-focused LDTs, connecting directly with peers across cities, and linking municipalities with digital solutions.
Register for the event here:
Accessible by Design: Launching the Citizen-Centric LDT Network
