In Scandinavia, a concept known as Total BIM has recently emerged, which is a novel “all-in” approach where the Building Information Model (BIM) is the single source of information throughout the project. It represents the next step of digitalization within construction where the BIM is the legally binding construction document and no traditional 2D-drawings are used. As such, it is an important concept in order to realize a digital twin of the construction site. In this session researchers and practitioners will present ongoing research directed at future construction projects as well as efficient digital tools and techniques that are used in practice already today. Attendees will see a range of examples, from data-driven circularity to modern model-interaction techniques using AR and VR – all made possible by the Total BIM concept.

The development of models for urban areas has been occurring for several decades, in particular, holistic approaches that try to capture the environmental dimension in cities. With the concept of Digital Twins at city scale, such models is starting to be applied towards understanding cities as complex systems. Additionally, efforts on generating more data through different processes, such as using machine learning and street level or satellite images, has become a key focus. This session will explore recent advancements when it comes to generating new data and modeling environmental processes at city scale to showcase the potential that Digital Twins have. We will focus on the key concepts of circular economy, energy efficiency, climate change, and thermal comfort.

This session will look beyond technical capabilities of digital twins and centers on the collaboration, co-creation, and decision-making potential as well as a profound consideration of social values. Through presentation of ongoing projects and discussions, attendees will gain insights into applications and related potentials and challenges. At the end of the session the attendees will have a comprehensive understanding of how digital twins can be a powerful tool for decision-making in urban transformation and development with focus on decarbonization of the built environment on the district and city scale, social values, and communication.

The concept of the Digital Twin has attracted significant attention within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in recent years. This session will explore its current and future applications in architectural design. Architectural firms and researchers will present use cases and ongoing research projects that leverage the digital twin technology for a wide range of purposes. As a result, attendees will gain insights into the vast potential of digital twins in the architecture sector — from being a practical tool for informing design decisions, through serving as a means to bridge the scale of cities, buildings, and architectural components, and further — to becoming a cutting-edge technology of the near future that facilitates more circular architectural design, construction, and decarbonization of the built environment.

Cities are highly complex systems and the amount of information needed to make informed sustainable decisions is almost endless. To be able to make sense of all the data collected in the community planning process, we need to make it accessible and convert the information into knowledge. The Swedish national hub for digital twins aims to make digital twins a part of the everyday toolbox for the urban development sector and decision makers. To be able to do this, technical as well as organizational progress is needed across different sectors. This session will be diving into and map out the diverse perspectives of the different stakeholders of digital twins. The central query revolves around establishing an interdisciplinary platform that not only amplifies collaboration and propels the forefront of innovation but also facilitates the inclusion of late adopters and those who lag behind in the digital twin domain.

Urban digital twins, comprising data and software, hold immense potential for revolutionizing urban planning and management. However, realizing their full potential demands that different data resources and different software components can work together – i.e., interoperate – effectively. This workshop offers an exploration of methods and technologies that ensure data and software interoperability in the context of urban digital twins. Participants will gain valuable insights for enhancing the effectiveness of these critical digital systems, fostering collaboration, and driving sustainable urban development. They will be engaged in a dialogue about the interoperability complexities, offering practical implications and potential avenues for future research.

Digital twins have emerged as transformative tools in urban development, and municipalities are taking diverse paths in their adoption. Some choose established software vendors, while others leverage their own expertise to embark on an independent journey. In this landscape, the Local Digital Twin (LTD) Forum, an informal consortium of leading European research organizations, stands as a beacon of common principles: openness, interoperability, and a federated approach. The LTD forum advocates for digital twins that are not monolithic, centralized systems but rather interconnected federated systems-of-systems. This approach is underpinned by the recognition that multiple digital twins must seamlessly connect across organizational and sectoral boundaries, fostering an inclusive and outcome-driven perspective that places people at the core. In line with these principles, this workshop delves into the latest research trends and the future trajectory of open and federated digital twins. It provides a platform for the presentation of real-world examples illustrating the power of this approach. Join us in exploring the evolving landscape of digital twins, where collaboration, openness, and interoperability pave the way for smarter, more connected cities.

Digital twins for the urban environment have gained significant attention in recent years. To make use of the Digital Twins full capacity, simulation capabilities must be included enabling forecasting and scenario testing for different design options, environmental conditions, or planning phases. Recent developments in the field include the connection of different simulation capabilities. Yet, integrating the simulation results into existing Digital Twins in an effective way requires overarching standards for both the simulation results and the simulation parameters and tool information in form of meta data. This session will explore the current and future utilization of simulation results within Digital Twins of Cities. Practitioners and researchers will present simulation frameworks already in operation as well as current research on coupling simulations, data standards and infrastructure. The attendees will gain insight into current practice and recent developments of making simulation capabilities accessible within a Digital Twin City exploiting its full potential to becoming a cutting-edge technology in developing and maintaining an urban area.

In an increasingly urbanised world, the fusion of cutting-edge technologies has given rise to the concept of Urban Digital Twins (UDTs). These digital replicas of urban environments hold immense potential to enhance urban planning, management, and sustainability. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with UDTs amplifies their capabilities, enabling cities to thrive in the face of complex challenges. This session delves into the dynamic intersection of Urban Digital Twins and AI, exploring this fusion’s innovative applications, advancements, and transformative potential. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how UDTs and AI work together to create smarter, more resilient cities.