Enhancing scientific and technological excellence in city Digital Twins, NexTCity connects NOVA IMS with KU Leuven and Universitat Jaume I to exchange knowledge and practices. The project will develop a Digital Twin for a ZER (Zero Emissions) area in Lisbon, integrating real-time data, predictive analytics, and scenario simulation. Aligned with EU Mission Cities & Smart Territories, it aims to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral and resilient urban governance.

Project Title: NexTCity

Project Subtitle: Strengthening Digital Twin Excellence for Climate-Neutral Cities

Duration: September 2024 – August 2027 (36 months)

Funding: Horizon Europe – Twinning / Widening (Grant Agreement 101159944)

Pilot Area: Zero Emissions (ZER) area in Lisbon

Coordinator: NOVA IMS (Portugal)

Challenge:

Cities account for the majority of CO₂ emissions and are on the frontline of climate change. Achieving carbon neutrality requires advanced governance tools that can integrate data, simulate scenarios, and guide decisions. While Digital Twins are emerging as a transformative solution, expertise and capacity in this field remain uneven across Europe.

Objectives:

• Enhance NOVA IMS’s excellence in Digital Twins through knowledge exchange with KU Leuven and Universitat Jaume I.
• Develop a comprehensive Digital Twin framework covering data collection, integration, analysis, visualization, and governance.
• Apply this expertise in practice by creating a Digital Twin for a Zero Emissions (ZER) area in Lisbon.
• Strengthen international research cooperation and establish NexTCity as a reference point for Digital Twin–based climate governance in Europe.

Technology – What is a Digital Twin?

A Digital Twin is a 3D virtual model that integrates real-world data to simulate and analyze scenarios such as emissions, air quality, energy use, and mobility. It allows cities to test strategies virtually before implementing them, ensuring better-informed, data-driven decisions.

Expected Results

• A Digital Twin of a Lisbon ZER area, integrating real-time data and predictive analytics for emissions, mobility, and energy.
• A scalable and interoperable framework aligned with European standards, enabling replication in other cities.
• Capacity building at NOVA IMS, positioning it as a European leader in Digital Twin research and application.
• A strong and sustainable research network linking Portugal, Spain, and Belgium, fostering long-term collaboration.
• Policy-relevant knowledge to support the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
  

Partners: KU Leuven (Belgium), Universitat Jaume I (Spain)

Logos >

Illustrations >

Presentation Template >

Leaflet >

Poster >

Rollup >

Kick-off meeting >

NexTCity Training Week in Castellón: Building Digital Twin Skills for Climate-Smart Cities >

Researchers’ Exchange: Building Digital Twins at UJI

Belén Zuazo | Communication Lead | mbelluscio@novaims.unl.pt