Digital Twins for Spatial Planning: Innovation Driven by Experiments, Hackathons, and Technological Integration
Digital Twins are rapidly emerging as a revolutionary tool for addressing the complex challenges of our environment. This technology promises a new way of working, but it is not yet entirely clear what it will look like. That is why experimenting, hackathons and smartly linking technologies are crucial in this phase.. But what exactly are Digital Twins, and how can we distinguish between hype and reality in this promising technological landscape?
Digital Twins: A Means, Not an End
A Digital Twin is not an end goal in itself but a powerful tool that supports decision-making. It allows us to gain deep insights into both problems and solutions by visualizing and analyzing complex data. This is especially important in a world where pressure on living environment is increasing and interests are diverging. The key question then becomes: how can we manage this complexity more quickly, effectively, and simply?
Digital Twins enable experts, policymakers, administrators, and politicians to collaborate more effectively and make informed decisions. Digital Twins give us the opportunity to gain in-depth insight into the quality of the physical living environment, including elements such as infrastructure, green areas and liveability.
Experimenting and Learning
Digital Twins are relatively new, and as with any innovation, it is essential to experiment, share knowledge, and collaborate. Hackathons play a crucial role in this process as incubators for new ideas and technological integrations. What is the right goal for a Digital Twin? Which elements need to be connected to achieve the best results? These questions are central to an ongoing exploration.
In recent months, Tygron has conducted various experiments to link and integrate technologies. Some examples include:
source: Niels van der Vaart, EsriCollaboration with Esri, Cobra Groeninzicht, and Nelen & Schuurmans: In August 2024, we connected various data sources and calculation models. In Esri’s ArcGIS online viewer, for instance, you can cut down, plant, and grow trees, while the Tygron Platform immediately calculates the impact on heat stress and the 3+30+300 rule. Read more.
Municipality of Breda, Heijmans, TNO, and Argaleo: Here, we created a link between the Tygron Platform and TNO Urban Strategy, where traffic intensities were used to further calculate environmental factors. Read more.
Netherlands3D Hackathon in collaboration with the Municipality of Utrecht: In July 2024, we experimented with integrating Tygron API keys into visualization technologies, an important step in making Digital Twins accessible for various purposes. Read more.
Tauw and the Municipality of Deventer: A powerful example of the potential of these integrations is the use case in Deventer, where urban planners and climate consultants could interactively develop heat stress plans for the city. Esri and Tygron were connected via FME, demonstrating how powerful, connected geo-applications can form a Digital Twin that makes the environment more understandable and manageable. Read more.
Integration of Data, Calculation Models, and Visualizations.
The success of a Digital Twin depends on the seamless integration of data, calculation models, and visualizations. This allows for the connection of technologies that complement each other and together form a usable solution for specific environmental challenges.
Data: The amount of available data is growing exponentially. From GIS data to real-time sensor information, the challenge is to connect and utilize this data in the right way. For example, weather data must come from reliable sources like the KNMI, and traffic data must be directly accessible from municipal databases.
Calculation Models: For specific calculations, such as water management or nitrogen measurements, it is crucial to retrieve the correct data from preferred simulation software. Think of the AERIUS model from RIVM for nitrogen calculations, which can be directly integrated into the Digital Twin.
Visualizations: Developments in visualization are impressive. Whether it’s platforms like Unity, Cesium, or Unreal Engine, or dashboard solutions like PowerBI or Flourish, the Digital Twin must be made accessible for the specific goals it is intended to achieve.
Future Vision: Open Standards and Collaboration
At Tygron, we invest a large amount of time in developing and testing open coupling standards that are essential for the success of Digital Twins. These standards ensure that users of the Tygron Platform have the right information, calculation models, and visualizations at their disposal in any situation. Creating open standards is crucial to making technologies broadly usable and fostering collaboration.
The world of Digital Twins is still developing, but the promise is clear: a better, more integrated approach to the challenges of today and tomorrow. It is a journey we embark on together, with the goal of achieving a more sustainable and livable future.
