Rotterdam's Challenge: Water & Resilience 
The City of Rotterdam, Netherlands, is rapidly advancing in its Citiverse strategy, which is powered by a high-end digital twin and the Open Urban Data Platform (OUP). These tools are at the heart of the city’s efforts to address one of its most pressing issues: water management and resilience.

Given that much of the Netherlands lies below sea level, flooding poses a significant risk to citizens, businesses, and infrastructure—including Europe’s largest port. Rotterdam’s Water & Resilience Challenge aims to leverage the Citiverse to:

• Predict: Use advanced data modelling to forecast flooding scenarios.
• Mitigate: Develop solutions that proactively reduce flooding impacts.
• Respond: Enhance response capabilities for faster, more effective action during crises.

This challenge extends beyond flooding to address broader water, resilience, and safety issues. Rotterdam invites innovators worldwide to propose creative solutions that integrate with the city’s digital twin and OUP, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens while setting a benchmark for urban resilience.

Companies pitching for solutions:
Wapice Ltd
Citynomadi
Younite

Istanbul's Challenge: Earthquake Preparedness
Istanbul faces challenges with fast urban growth, a large population, and complicated transportation. Its varied geography and risk of earthquakes require practical solutions. The city also struggles with air and noise pollution due to heavy traffic and industrial activity. Using smart technologies to manage the city sustainably is essential. It is also important to upgrade infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the population. Addressing pollution, particularly air and noise pollution caused by traffic and industry, is a priority for the city’s health and environment. Additionally, preparing for natural disasters, especially earthquakes, is crucial to protect residents and ensure the city’s resilience in the face of emergencies. Balancing development with environmental and social needs is essential for long-term sustainability and a better quality of life.

Companies pitching for solutions:
 

15.20 – The CitiVerse. Are you ready?
15.35 – Response of Panellists (Round One): Teppo Rantanen, Roland van der Heijden, Alexander Schmidt, Dr. Christina Yan Zhang

15.50 – Building a Gold Standard for Urban Innovation and the next wave of digital transformation: the Urban Innovation Lighthouse Association.
16.00 – Comments by all panellists

16.15 – Official Launch of the Lighthouse Association 

16.20 – Call-outs by all panellists
 

Join us for the international launch of the Open Urban Platform at Imagine!
Afterwards, we would love to raise a glass with you during an informal drink from 17:00 to 17:30 in the Quality of Life Lounge, in the Sustainability Demo Corner.

After years of intensive development, together with the City of Rotterdam and others, we are finally unveiling the gamechanger for data management: the Open Urban Platform (OUP). This powerful digital ecosystem provides cities and regions with an unprecedented infrastructure to effectively address complex urban challenges, such as climate adaptation. Discover how the OUP combines diverse data sources and smart applications to create data-driven solutions that make a difference. From advanced heat stress analysis to accurate flood modelling - see how policymakers can respond more specifically to the societal challenges we face. 

Some Dutch cities are already successfully integrating the OUP, and now it's time for the world! During Imagine, we will demonstrate how to use the OUP to address the challenges of cities like Tampere and Phoenix to overcome their biggest challenges. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see how this digital ecosystem is empowering city planners, policymakers and businesses to make their cities smarter, more sustainable and resilient - with a clear focus on the future. Become part of this new movement!




 

OPEN WORKSHOP Organised by the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Metaverse Institute

Wed 28.5. at 11-12
FLOW / Seminar Center, 2nd floor

Rotterdam is building its future digital vision. Join us to reflect, contribute, and co-create the next chapter of a smarter, more connected city! 

Following the 'Rotterdam in transformation 1.0' vision, the municipality is now developing a new strategy based on the Citiverse concept to address the impact of digital transformation. Dr Christina Yan Zhang from The Metaverse Institute has assisted us in identifying key building blocks through extensive research and stakeholder interviews. Join us as we present these first results and invite your crucial input to shape the path forward together.

Dr Christina Yan Zhang, CEO, The Metaverse Institute
Roland van der Heijden, Program manager Rotterdam Citiverse & Program manager Digital City, Municipality of Rotterdam

 

Let's meet all the winners of the IMAGINE Citiverse Challenge 2025.