Abstract
Cities are complex systems connected to economic, ecological, and demographic conditions and change. They are also characterized by diverging perceptions and interests of citizens and stakeholders. Thus, in the arena of urban planning, we are in need of approaches that are able to cope not only with urban complexity but also allow for participatory and collaborative processes to empower citizens. This to create democratic cities. Connected to the field of smart cities and citizens, we present in this paper, the prototype of an urban digital twin for the 30,000-people town of Herrenberg in Germany. Urban digital twins are sophisticated data models allowing for collaborative processes. The herein presented prototype comprises (1) a 3D model of the built environment, (2) a street network model using the theory and method of space syntax, (3) an urban mobility simulation, (4) a wind flow simulation, and (5) a number of empirical quantitative and qualitative data using volunteered geographic information (VGI). In addition, the urban digital twin was implemented in a visualization platform for virtual reality and was presented to the general public during diverse public participatory processes, as well as in the framework of the “Morgenstadt Werkstatt” (Tomorrow’s Cities Workshop). The results of a survey indicated that this method and technology could significantly aid in participatory and collaborative processes. Further understanding of how urban digital twins support urban planners, urban designers, and the general public as a collaboration and communication tool and for decision support allows us to be more intentional when creating smart cities and sustainable cities with the help of digital twins. We conclude the paper with a discussion of the presented results and further research directions.
Highlights
Digital technologies and their applications are of great importance for processes bridging formal and rational knowledge for smarter, more sustainable governance of cities involving the experience of citizens, supporting a smart, democratic urban planning process
Connected to the field of smart cities and citizens, we present in this paper, the prototype of an urban digital twin for the 30,000-people town of Herrenberg in Germany
The urban digital twin was implemented in a visualization platform for virtual reality and was presented to the general public during diverse public participatory processes, as well as in the framework of the “Morgenstadt Werkstatt” (Tomorrow’s Cities Workshop)
Summary
Digital technologies and their applications are of great importance for processes bridging formal and rational knowledge for smarter, more sustainable governance of cities involving the experience of citizens, supporting a smart, democratic urban planning process. Cities, established firms, and startups, as well as individual citizens, are driving these developments, often with diverging perceptions, motivations, and interests with regard to goals and outcomes It pursues solutions based on information and communications technologies, which have often been summarized under the term smart city in recent years. Sustainable smart planning deals with the development of strategies to reduce and recycle resources, increase economic efficiency, and improve the integration of social aspects. These are, for example, pedestrian-friendly environments, efficient road networks and mobility systems, sustainable land use, circular economy, or access for all to jobs, retail, services, healthcare, culture, and leisure. The social and ethical implications of the development of these digital technologies, as well as the growing influence of technology giants on city economics, the freedom and privacy of its inhabitants [19] are a separate issue and not taken into account adequately within many of these definitions and concepts
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