Speaker
Description
With any innovative technological development and application, the "monitoring and evaluation" of impact is essential. Regarding the emerging area of urban "Digital Twins", this is even more critical as citizens should and are at the centre of this innovation, and their collaborative engagement and "buy in" will ensure the successfully delivery. It is widely accepted in all fields of study that to understand and assess impact, a framework approach is preferable, and no more so that with monitoring and evaluation.
In recent years, significant advancements in the development of an applied Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework to assess impact within the context of Digital Twins, have been achieved, and through ongoing applied projects, this is moving at pace to deliver success. This framework can provide a crucial assessment mechanism for innovative technological specially against the aims and objectives of the initiative, project, etc. An robust and evidence-based M&E Framework will ensure the outcomes remain relevant and impactful to the stakeholders, end-users and the community as a whole, allowing for the equipping of all with relevant information cultivated through the continuous M&E of real-time progress. This places stakeholders, end-users and community in the advantaged position of being able to make informed decisions and implement timely interventions. Additionally, M&E works as a vital mechanism in the assessment of risk which ensures any project’s success is adequately safeguarded against unforeseen challenges. This highlights the role of M&E in navigating the inherently complex nature of urban development and ensures project resilience.
A robust M&E framework requires a distinct understanding among all regarding the purpose and objectives of the project at hand. It is paramount to a project’s success that all key actors hold a clear understanding of the goals they wish to achieve throughout a project’s duration and beyond. Such goals should be clear, defined and measurable whilst also in alignment with the central vision of a project. In this way, communication should be a priority during both the framework’s development and application phases.
An M&E Framework should maintain a form that allows for flexibility and adaptability to accommodate contextual changes that may arise throughout the project’s lifespan. In this way, M&E is seen to facilitate the continuous improvement and refinement of the project whilst also showing a commitment to an approach characterised by integrity.
To allow for any type of M&E to determine impact, the establishment of "Key Performance Indicators" (KPIs), both quantitative and qualitative in type, are needed. The use of a Multi-Criteria Analysis approach can significant enhance and prioritise development of these KPIs.
This presentation will set out the components and workings of an applied M&E Framework, particularly through the lens of the applied research three-year (2024-2026) project titled Building Intelligent Positive Energy Districts (BIPED) (https://www.bi-ped.eu/), funded under the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme. The project is focused on a new solution to “fast-track” energy transition. Within BIPED, Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are urban areas where energy produced is the same as, or greater than, energy consumed. The BIPED project is building intelligent PEDs to assist urban area/cities with decarbonisation efforts aimed at reaching net zero by 2030 through the development and application of a “Digital Twin” for the city of Aarhus, Denmark. PEDs are a key building block in the future energy paradigm for carbon-neutral cities and communities. With the rise of modern technology, PED development is set to evolve towards a more agile arrangement in which decisions are first tested and fine-tuned in virtual environments before they are deployed on the ground.
References
Publications
Hynes, W. el al (2020), An integrated PXI–Governance approach to participatory monitoring and evaluation in +CityxChange, Resultat #1824248 - An integrated PXI–Governance approach to participatory monitoring and evaluation in +CityxChange - Cristin
Hynes, W. el al (2020), +CityxChange (2020) Deliverable D7.1, Approach and Methodology for Monitoring and Evaluation. https://cityxchange.eu/knowledge-base/approach-and-methodology-for-monitoring-and-evaluation/
Markiewicz, A., Patrick, I. (2015). Developing Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks (First Edition), https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/developing-monitoring-and-evaluation-frameworks/book243779
Zavitas, K. et al. (2019). Sharing Cities D8.4 Local Monitoring Programme Design, https://sharingcities.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/D8-03-Local-monitoring-programme-design.pdf
Websites
BIPED - A vision for Brabrand: Marching forward with confidence toward climate-neutrality, https://www.bi-ped.eu/post/a-vision-for-brabrand-marching-forward-with-confidence-toward-climate-neutrality
ERIC Forum. Key Performance Indicators, https://www.eric-forum.eu/toolkit/impact-evaluation/key-performance-indicators-2/
European Commission, Monitoring and Evaluation, https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/monitoring-and-evaluation_en
European Commission, Positive clean energy district (PED) digital twins – from modelling to creating climate neutral Cities, https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-MISS-2023-CIT-01-02
European Commission, Smart Cities Marketplace. Self Reporting Tool - SRT Guide. (Accessed 01 December 2024) https://smart-cities-marketplace.ec.europa.eu/insights/publications/self-reporting-tool-srt-guide
European Commission, Self Reporting Tool - Key performance indicators Guide, Self Reporting Tool - Key performance indicators Guide | Smart Cities Marketplace
| Keywords | Digital Twins, Monitoring, Evaluation, Impact, Urban Planning, Key Performance Indicators, |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
