Starting on January 1, 2025, FARI – AI for the Common Good Institute (VUB & ULB) joined MultiRoofs, an INTERREG NWE project running until June 30, 2029. Bringing together 16 partners from Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany, the project aims to tackle critical urban challenges, such as climate adaptation, energy transitions, and housing shortages by repurposing underutilized rooftops across Northwest Europe. By transforming these spaces into multifunctional hubs, MultiRoofs seeks to create more efficient, resilient, and sustainable cities. 

What is MultiRoofs? 

The MultiRoofs project tackles the growing scarcity of urban space in Northwest Europe (NWE), a region facing pressing challenges such as climate change, energy demands, and limited housing. With over 1,300 km² of unused rooftop space in the Netherlands alone, rooftops present a transformative opportunity. These spaces can be utilized for renewable energy generation, biodiversity enhancement, water absorption, recreation, and even housing. By developing multifunctional roofscapes, cities can adapt to climate change and urban sprawl while maintaining their liveability. 

MultiRoofs is a transnational initiative funded by INTERREG NWE, a program supporting cross-border cooperation to address shared challenges in Northwest Europe.  

Collaborative efforts across borders 

MultiRoofs unites a diverse consortium of public authorities, research institutions, private entities, and NGOs. Partners include Dublin City University (DCU), Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Codema (Dublin’s Energy Agency), Region Île-de-France, City of Brussels, City of Rotterdam, City of Mannheim, City of Mechelen, MVRDV, Rooftop Revolution, Roofscapes, and FARI – AI for the Common Good Institute Brussels (ULB and VUB).  

Transforming rooftops with Digital Twin technology 

To support the transformation of urban rooftops, the MultiRoofs project will use digital twin technology, which provides virtual representations of urban areas. This technology enables stakeholders to visualize large-scale cityscapes, monitor the condition of rooftop structures, and analyze extensive datasets. By using these tools, the project can efficiently plan and implement multifunctional rooftop solutions, ensuring practical and informed decision-making across Northwest Europe.  

FARI’s role in MultiRoofs  

FARI will lead the communication efforts of MultiRoofs, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge and strategies to maximize rooftop utility.  

Furthermore, FARI will contribute to the research and development of digital twin tools to visualize and manage urban rooftop spaces. Once developed, these tools will be implemented in the CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) at FARI, providing an immersive platform to explore and refine the solutions and using our unique technical infrastructure and collaborative methodology to engage with stakeholders. 

Following this, FARI will offer trainings to public authorities and stakeholders on their applications. By organizing workshops and courses, FARI will enable local administrations within the NWE to use these tools effectively and integrate multifunctional rooftops solutions into their own urban planning.

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By participating in this initiative, FARI — Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) — reinforces its dedication to innovation for the common good, drawing on its expertise in digital twin technologies and immersive infrastructure like the CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment).  

Although the City of Brussels and Mechelen will provide their datasets for Belgium, if you have relevant data to share, feel free to engage with Martin Canter, FARI AI Expert, if you wish to contribute to the project.