18 September 2024
Kick-Off Meeting (Milestone 1)
Launched the NexTCity project with all partners, setting objectives, work plan, and collaboration framework for advancing Digital Twins research.
18 September 2024
5 - 7 November 2024
NexTCity at Smart City Expo World Congress (Barcelona)
Presented NexTCity at a major international smart-city event, increasing visibility and initiating collaboration contacts.
23 November 2024
Online dissemination channels established (Milestone 2)
Website and social media accounts available online.
23 November 2024
28 February 2025
Mentoring on Career Development initiated (Milestone 3)
Long-term career development programme with 13 mentor–mentee pairs across NOVA IMS, UJI, and KU Leuven.
1 April 2025
First administrative staff exchange (Milestone 6)
Part of the NOVA Cidade team and the MagIc Executive Manager visited KU Leuven to learn about its Research Management support services and receive training on research and data management.
1 April 2025
3 - 5 June 2025
NexTCity at Portugal Smart Cities Summit 2025 (Lisbon)
Showcased NexTCity at national level, strengthening engagement with Portuguese local and regional authorities.
6 June 2025
First thematic workshop implemented (Milestone 4)
Held in Benicàssim, focused on 3D model optimization and indoor mapping with ArcGIS Indoors.
6 June 2025
6 June 2025
First summer school organised (Milestone 5)
Held in Benicàssim, introduced tools and methods for building Digital Twins, real-time data integration, and GeoAI applications.
16 - 20 June 2025
Researchers exchange
Intensive week at UJI (GEOTEC) working on ArcGIS Indoors, Blender-based 3D modeling, indoor networks, and drone data capture/processing—resulting in the first version of the NOVA IMS campus Digital Twin.
16 - 20 June 2025
16 October 2025
Development of the digital twin of ZER in Lisbon initiated (Milestone 9)
Included study visits to the Lisbon Urban Management and Intelligence Centre (CGIUL) and the Municipal Directorate for Mobility (DMM) to explore existing models and datasets.
16 October 2025
First public conference organized
"Digital Twins for Urban Futures" was held at NOVA IMS with participation from NOVA IMS, KU Leuven, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Esri Portugal, and PGDL, showcasing ongoing collaborations and research on urban digital twins.
16 October 2025
23 - 25 February 2026
First senior researchers exchange
Included meetings with UJI’s Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization and the European Projects Office, as well as a visit to Espaitec Science & Technology Park to explore academic collaboration and research transfer opportunities.
1 - 31 March 2026
Long-term researchers exchange at KU Leuven
In March 2026, NOVA IMS researchers carried out a one-month exchange at KU Leuven, advancing collaboration on urban digital twins and simulation models within NexTCity.
1 - 31 March 2026