Speaker
Description
Cities in transition are urban environments undergoing profound transformations to address some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, socio-economic inequality, rapid urbanization, and the urgent need for sustainable development. These cities aim to become more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally conscious by reconfiguring their systems, structures, and governance.
Central to this process is the adoption of innovative technologies, such as Urban Digital Twins (UDTs), which enable more effective management, monitoring, and planning of urban systems.
The concept of Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) has emerged as a transformative tool for spatial planning and urban management, offering dynamic, real-time virtual representations of physical urban environments.
UDTs are dynamic, data-driven virtual replicas of physical urban environments, continuously updated with real-time data and capable of advanced simulations. By bridging physical and digital spaces, UDTs enhance urban planning through three primary functions: management, monitoring, and facilitation of planning processes.
In fact, UDTs enable the development of comprehensive reference frameworks, exploration of “what-if” scenarios to evaluate the potential impacts of policies or projects, and implementation of data-driven decision-making processes that account for socio-economic, environmental, and spatial dimensions.
Despite the numerous benefits, the deployment of UDTs faces several challenges, such as the high costs of implementation, data standardization issues, and also raises ethical concerns related to privacy and algorithmic bias. Data privacy is a significant issue, as the extensive data collection required for UDTs can lead to potential breaches of personal information. Addressing this requires robust data governance frameworks that ensure the protection of individual privacy while enabling data-driven urban innovation. These limitations are particularly pertinent for cities in transition, where resource constraints and the need for equitable access to technological solutions must be addressed.
The main purpose of this contribution is to investigate the thematic focus of UDTs applications in urban planning, identifying the fields currently addressed and those that could be tackled in the future. Additionally, the research explores the main criticisms and limitations of UDTs, including technical, ethical, and socio-economic challenges. By mapping these dimensions, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role UDTs play today and their potential for transformative urban planning in the context of the cities in transition.
This aim is pursued through a systematic literature review, leveraging academic databases and analyzing peer-reviewed studies published in recent years. Given the novelty of the topic, the literature review methodology ensures a thorough and critical examination of existing research, capturing the most up-to-date developments and insights, offering a robust foundation for understanding the state-of-the-art and future directions.
This research highlights opportunities for UDTs to support climate adaptation, foster social equity, and empower public participation. UDTs represent a promising technological advancement with the potential to transform spatial planning and urban management. By providing a comprehensive overview of their current applications and identifying future directions, this study contributes to the broader discourse on the role of digital innovation in transforming urban planning and fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities.
However, it is crucial to balance these opportunities with ethical considerations, ensuring that the deployment of UDTs fosters equitable and just urban development. As cities continue to navigate the complexities of urban transitions, the role of UDTs will undoubtedly become increasingly vital in shaping the future of urban planning.
| Keywords | Urban Digital Twins; Transition; Climate Adaptation; Urban Resilience; Innovation |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
