Digital twins are reshaping urban and national planning by providing dynamic, real-time representations of physical environments. In this engaging session, we will explore the transformative potential of digital twin technology, featuring two groundbreaking projects: a city-scale initiative in Melbourne and a country-scale public digital twin of Canada, along with a third presentation on a digital twin of Pau, France. This session promises to provide valuable insights into how digital twins are transforming urban and national landscapes, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and driving smarter, more resilient cities and countries.
Capturing the Present to Deliver the Future: 3D Reality Mesh for the Greenline Project
The first case study will highlight the Greenline Project in the City of Melbourne, where the city is transforming the north bank of the Yarra River into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. The City of Melbourne commissioned a highly accurate, multi-resolution 3D reality mesh of the riverbank, utilizing advanced photogrammetry and a range of capture techniques. This 4 km (2.5 mi) dataset will serve as the foundational framework for one of Melbourne’s largest city-shaping projects, revitalizing public waterfront spaces while respecting environmental, ecological, and Aboriginal cultural values. With a projected cost of $300 million, the project aims to create over 3,400 jobs during construction and 6,400 ongoing jobs by 2042, demonstrating the substantial economic impact of such digital initiatives.
Developing an Open and Public Digital Twin of Canada
Next, we will delve into the ambitious public digital twin of Canada, designed to enhance accountability, information exchange, and collaboration across various sectors, including urban planning and construction. This open-source, web-based platform federates diverse datasets—ranging from BIM models and GIS data to point clouds and images—into a single visual interface. By utilizing open standards and supporting interoperability, this platform aims to break down barriers to information access, fostering collaboration among professionals and the public alike. Initiated for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, the platform encourages community engagement and co-creation, enabling users to develop their own tools to contribute to the national digital twin. Additionally, a third presentation will be announced, further enriching the discussion around digital twin technology and its applications.
Digital Twin Delivers Live Image of Pau, France to Inform Renovation and Ongoing Improvements.
The Communauté d’Agglomération de Pau Béarn Pyrénées (CAPBP) in the Pau region of France launched an ambitious renovation plan to improve quality of life and encourage economic development across the region, with a goal to improve the visual appeal of the area. They wanted to promote communication and collaboration and ensure “right first time” construction with access to accurate and up-to-date information in context for better decisions. Using digital twins, Pau improved productivity and reduced costs associated with asset monitoring and management – their immersive insight videos can be produced internally, saving almost EUR 200,000 each year. The digital twin also saves time, as accessing asset information—such as lease information and floor planning—resulting in 95% cost savings on information access. City planners can simulate traffic scenarios, model architectural projects in real-world context, track progress towards sustainability goals, and view the city’s utility networks from one platform. The organization currently employs digital twins to monitor stormwater, and plans to soon add capabilities for natural gas, water supply, waste, and electricity.
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