Digital representations of cities are game changers in urban development, according to an article from the geomatics industry magazine GIM International. By enabling virtual modelling and smart simulations, they allow decision-makers to explore, test and assess the measures taken. These digital twins also facilitate collaboration among stakeholders who can make cities smarter, safer and more sustainable, writes the article.
Visualizing development plans in 3D allows cities to better understand the consequences of climate change interventions, as well as recognize planning errors at a pre-investment stage. There is also the possibility to calculate the solar potential on rooftops and plan the optimal design of energy grids. Furthermore, 3D digital twins can help lessen the effects of pollution and trapped heat by modelling the health of trees in urban areas.
Cities worldwide are already putting 3D city modelling into practice, such as St. Gallen in Switzerland, which created a digital city twin. According to the article, even entire countries are using digital twins for sustainable development. The Netherlands has a digital twin known as 3DNL, which has features such as mesh measurements, asset management and sun and shadow analysis that enable high-rise simulations as well as building cross-section analysis.
“New technologies on the market can point cities around the world in the right direction to accomplish the SDGs by 2030,” concludes the article.
