Future Needs is proud to announce its role as a core partner in the Horizon Europe-funded UrbanAIR project, which officially launched this year with a vision to support European cities in tackling urban heat, air pollution, and public health challenges through the use of advanced digital twin technology.
UrbanAIR brings together 18 partners across Europe to co-develop a digital twin-based decision-support tool. The tool will simulate how citizens and environments respond to climate interventions, empowering local authorities to make data-informed decisions on designing healthier, more liveable urban spaces. This decision-support system will be piloted in five pilot cities – Antwerp, Barcelona, Bristol, Paris, and Rotterdam.
Dr Femke Vossepoel, professor of Earth System Simulation at TU Delft and scientific coordinator of UrbanAIR, emphasises the urgency of the project:
With urban heatwaves and air pollution reaching critical levels, we need smarter, data-driven and physics-based approaches to protect public health and enhance city resilience. This EU-funded project will provide cities with the tools to implement effective solutions, from urban greening strategies to emissions reduction policies.
Future Needs leads the dissemination, communication, and exploitation strategy of UrbanAIR, ensuring that project results are visible, accessible, and usable by stakeholders across sectors. The team also contributes to understanding how social, policy, and economic contexts affect the integration of digital twin solutions—ensuring citizens are at the heart of the design and implementation process.
The Future Needs team leads the branding and communications for the project. You can find our materials and learn more about our role at: futureneeds.eu/urbanair-project.
“Our mission is to make sure the UrbanAIR tools are not only innovative but truly usable and relevant for those who need them most—from city officials to everyday citizens”, said Eva Palaiologk and Vasilis Bouronikos of the Future Needs team. “We are committed to amplifying the project’s impact across Europe.”
UrbanAIR launched in February and will run for four years. For updates, publications, and results, visit urbanair-project.eu/blog and follow UrbanAIR on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
