The Metaverse and Smart Cities: Urban Environments in the Age of Digital Connectivity explores the intersection between the rapidly growing metaverse and the future of cities. The metaverse is a virtual world that is increasingly gaining attention as a new frontier for human interaction and commerce. At the same time, cities are undergoing significant transformation as they face challenges such as population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation. Urban planners and city administrators will find valuable insights on how the metaverse can be integrated into the planning and development of smart, sustainable and future cities. The book begins with an introduction to the concepts and technology of the metaverse as well as its history. It then sheds light on the current and future challenges and opportunities that the metaverse presents to cities and the quality of life of urban dwellers. It delves into the ways in which the metaverse can change cities, both in terms of their physical and virtual environments, and the impact it can have on the lives of those who live in them. It brings together the latest research and perspectives from experts in the fields of virtual reality, urban planning, and sustainability, to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of this rapidly evolving field. The insights and recommendations presented in the book will be valuable to policymakers, urban planners, and technology professionals interested in shaping the future of cities and the quality of life of those who live in them. Urban dwellers will gain an understanding of the potential impact of the metaverse on their quality of life, and technology enthusiasts and real estate developers will gain insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of investing in the metaverse and its connection to cities. - Provides a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the relationship between the metaverse and cities, recognizing the role that virtual environments will play in shaping the future of urban life - Presents practical examples and case studies to demonstrate the possibilities and challenges of the metaverse in cities - Includes the historical foundations necessary for understanding the current challenges and potential future trajectories of the technology

Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences, Nice, France, 24-27 July 2024.

This innovative book explores the foundations of the smart city and, through a critique of its challenges and concerns, showcases how to redefine the concept for increased sustainability, liveability and resilience in urban areas. It undertakes a review of the smart city concept, providing a new perspective on how technology-based urban solutions must be centred around human dimensions to render more liveable urban fabrics.

Sustainability is part of every aspect of our life, with climate concerns shaping the future. Thus, it is important to understand how metaverse will affect sustainability, as it is opening both challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability. On the one side, replacing real-world interactions with 3D virtual and exchanging physical goods with digital ones are significantly less resource-intensive and more carbon-efficient. Therefore, this holds the promise of reducing the environmental pollution. On the other side, metaverse increases e-waste and energy consumption. Given this controversial impact, it is crucial for businesses and researchers to understand how to ensure that the metaverse develops sustainably. This book is popping out several questions: Do businesses understand the metaverse concept and perceive the benefits and advantages of implementing such technologies? How will the metaverse change business? Will metaverse change our working place and skills needed? How can companies get ahead of the change and mold it to their advantage? Will businesses use metaverse? Can metaverse create a more sustainable word? How can we make the metaverse better than what we have now? Is it going to affect environmental sustainability? Will it cause more severe climate problems, or would it be the solution? How can metaverse impact the achievements of SDGs?