Digital twins and land management in South Korea

Abstract

Use of digital twins is becoming a global trend according to Gartner, the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) and the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB). In line with this trend, South Korea has applied digital twins to land systems. To this end, a pilot project has been performed in Jeonju city. This study reviews digital twins and land conceptually and analyses the case in Jeonju. Conceptually, in terms of effective policy decision support, digital twins and land have shared characteristics, encompassing physical land, virtual land, and land-related data. The case of Jeonju city has been reviewed in terms of the relationship between digital twins and land. In the process of collection and renewal of data from physical land, systematic data-management systems and collaboration among related departments and/or persons in charge are important. In terms of processing for digitalization in the virtual space, sufficient budget and human resource management have been identified as important elements. As for analysis and simulation conducted in the virtual space, trust in the model of analysis and simulation needs to be developed through verification and job rotation in the civil service; without proper transfer of duties and responsibilities, this could be an obstacle. In the process of decision-making with regard to physical land, social issues that could be caused by digital technologies need to be carefully considered. Last but not least, legal and institutional support is required. In order to improve the case of Jeonju city, the establishment of a digital twin committee with appropriate authority under the mayor is recommended, because single departments tend to have difficulty in dealing with diverse issues.