Digital Twin Cities Conference:
Bridging the gap between vision and reality

Gothenburg, 28 November 2023

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Welcome to the Digital Twin Cities Conference:
Bridging the gap between vision and reality

The Digital Twin Cities Center at Chalmers University invites you to an illuminating day where we delve into the latest developments in urban digital twins and discuss the gap between visionary concepts and practical realities.

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This inclusive event is open to all, free of cost

Exclusive Interactive Workshop Ahead of the Conference

Join us on November 27, 2023, for an immersive experience at the Digital Twin Cities Centre (DTCC). We've gathered a team of experts specializing in visualization, auralization, and data to showcase the cutting-edge advancements in urban digital twins.
Get hands-on with emerging technology and engage in insightful discussions with our experts.

Date: November 27, 2023 Time: 13:00 – 16:30 (1 day prior to the conference)

Location: Visual Arena, Lindholmspiren 3, 417 56 Gothenburg

Who Should Attend? Professionals with a keen interest in Urban Digital Twins

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Focus

Discover the challenges and solutions in practical value, interoperability, and future developments in digital twin for cities.

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International Insights

Gain inspiration from high-level international speakers, offering a global perspective on urban innovation.

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Parallel Sessions

Tailored discussions for both researchers and industry/public sector experts, ensuring you engage with topics of your interest.

Program

The program is organized into three primary themes: practical value, interoperability, and future of digital twins. Feel free to explore each theme by clicking on the links below.

Practical value08:30 - 13:15

Interoperability13:15 - 16:15

The future of digital twins16:15 - 18:00

08:30

08:30-09:00

Coffee & mingle

09:05

09:05-09:15

Welcome

Anders Logg, Chalmers University

09:15

09:15-09:45

Keynote 1: Digital twins: A comprehensive Solution or Hopeful Vision?

Jantien Stoter, Delft University of Technology

09:45

09:45-10:15

Keynote 2: The practical value of innovation: Amsterdam’s Digital Twin

Bart Vuijk, TNO

10:15

10:15-10:45

Discussion: A reality check after the hype

Moderator: Alexandra Bolton

Panelists: Anders Logg, Janien Stouter, Bart Vujik

10:45

10:45-11:15

Coffee & Exhibition

11:15

11:15-12:15

Parallel Sessions: Practical Value

Exploring the tangible benefits of urban digital twins: delving into 5 key topics examining their practical value across various sectors and dimensions.

Show topics

Session 1: Total BIM: A foundation for digital twins in construction

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.

Session chair

Mattias Roupé

Chalmers University

Presenter

Oliver Disney

Chalmers

Presenter

Mikael Johansson

Chalmers

Session 2: Advancing Urban Environmental Modeling: Integrating Digital Twins and Data-Driven Insights for Sustainable Cities

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.

Session chair

Leonardo Rosado

Chalmers University

Presenter

Lidia Vitanova

GATE Institute

Presenter

Dag Wästberg

Chalmers Industriteknik

Presenter

Maud Lanau

Chalmers University

Presenter

Josie Harrison

Chalmers University

Session 3: Fostering Collaborative Digital Twins: A Path to Sustainable Urban Transformation and Social Values

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.

Session chair

Monica Ek

Lindholmen Science Park

Session chair

Liane Thuvander

Chalmers University

Presenter

Holger Wallbaum

Chalmers University

Presenter

Beata Stahre Wästberg

Chalmers University

Presenter

Susanne van Raalte

Trafikverket

Presenter

Charlie Gullström

Sweco

Session 4: Digital Twins in Architectural Design: Current Applications and Future Frontiers

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.

Session chair

Malgorzata Zboinska

Chalmers University

Presenter

Frederik Göbel

Chalmers University

Presenter

Jakub Dvořák

Liljewall Arkitekter AB

Presenter

Ellen Simonsson

Liljewall Arkitekter AB

Presenter

Andreas Rudenå

Paramountric AB

Presenter

Petra Jenning

FOJAB

Session 5: Priniciples, frameworks, and collaboration. Why do we need a digital twin community and how do we build it?

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.

Session chair

Camilla Berggren-Tarrodi

RISE

Presenter

Alexandra Bolton

CDBB

Presenter

Mark Enzer

Mott MacDonald

12:15

12:15-13:15

Lunch & Exhibition

13:15

13:15-13:45

Keynote 3: Connecting digital twins for a shared understanding – powered by The World Avatar

Amit Bhave, CMCL

13:45

13:45-14:15

Keynote 4: Interoperable Digital 3D/4D Models of the Urban Environment

Thomas Kolbe, Technical University of Munich

14:45

14:45-15:45

Parallel Sessions: Interoperability

How can we address interoperability challenges and explore pivotal digital twin trends? Join us for four enlightening sessions where we'll delve into these compelling questions.

Show topics

Session 6: Exploring the transformative landscape of open and federated digital twins

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.

Session chair

Francisco Rodriguez Pérez-Curiel

TECNALIA Research & Innovation

Presenter

Ingrid Croket

IMEC

Presenter

Jorge Gil

Chalmers University

Presenter

Stefan Lefever

IMEC

Session 7: Simulating Tomorrow's Cities: Integrating Simulation Capabilities into Digital Twins for Urban Environments

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.

Session chair

Franziska Hunger

Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre

Session chair

Anders Logg

Chalmers University

Presenter

Minna Karstunen

Chalmers University

Presenter

Tara Wood

Ramboll

Presenter

Mariya Pantusheva

GATE Institute

Presenter

Maha Shalaby

White Arkitekter

Session 8: Unlocking Urban Insights: Urban Digital Twins and AI

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.

Session chair

Dessislava Petrova-Antonova

GATE Institute

Presenter

Mila Koeva

University of Twente

Presenter

Nicolas Waern

Winniio

Presenter

Yinan Yu

Chalmers University

16:15

16:15-16:45

Keynote 5: Federated Digital Twins – Driving out costs and creating value

Steve Brown, SWECO

16:45

16:45-17:15

Keynote 6: Beyond Digital Twins

Mark Enzer, Mott MacDonald

17:30

17:30-18:00

Refreshments & mingle

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Keynote Speakers

Jantien Stoter

Jantien Stoter is full professor 3D Geoinformation at the Section Urban Data Science and obtained her PhD degree in 2004 (topic: 3D Cadastre). Jantien combines her professorship with a job as innovation consultant at the Kadaster. From TU Delft, she is posted to Geonovum. For her research on 5D data modelling, Jantien received the prestigious Vidi grant of the Netherlands Scientific Foundation (NWO) in 2010. In 2016, she received a Personal Grant from the European Research Council for her proposal Urban Modelling in higher dimensions (ERC). Jantien is (co)author of over 350 academic and professional articles.

Bart Vuijk

Amit Bhave

Amit Bhave is the CEO and co-founder of CMCL, an award-winning company offering digital engineering solutions across energy, infrastructure, automotive, and materials sectors. His main responsibilities include digitalisation services business development, and for over a decade, he has been responsible for fostering R&D partnerships with industry and research organisations worldwide. Amit is the Coordinator for DOME 4.0, a European collaborative R&D project on industrial B2B data-sharing marketplace ecosystem. CMCL has recently delivered the technical implementation of CReDo (Climate Resilience Demonstrator), a connected digital twin that leverages data sharing across the telecoms, power and water networks for data-centric climate adaptation decision support. CMPG, a Germany-based subsidiary of CMCL recently developed a connected digital twin for the city of Pirmasens with use cases ranging from district heating to smart buildings and water networks. Amit has over 50 peer-reviewed technical publications in areas such as smart infrastructure, digital twins, low-emission vehicles, nanomaterials and carbon-negative energy processes. He is a Chemical Engineer and is a By-Fellow at Hughes Hall, Cambridge, as well as an Affiliate Research Fellow at the CoMo Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Cambridge University. 

Thomas Kolbe

Thomas H. Kolbe is Full Professor and Chair of Geoinformatics at Technical University of Munich, Germany. His main research interests lie in the fields of virtual 3D city, landscape, and building information modelling; 3D GIS; city system modelling and digital urban twins; spatial data infrastructures; Smart Cities and Smart Rural Areas; indoor navigation; information theory; and object recognition. Prof. Kolbe is initiator and one of the principal developers of the CityGML standard for urban information modelling and the interoperable exchange of semantic 3D city models in the Open Geospatial Consortium. He has also been architect in the development of the OGC IndoorGML standard for indoor navigation.

Steve Brown

Steve is a mechanical engineer, enterprise architect, digital innovator and entrepreneur, with 30 years of experience driving digital business transformation in both the public and private sectors across Europe and the US. Steve has held CTO roles for global manufacturing and global consultancy companies, as well as high-tech start-ups. He is now Head of Digital Twins for Sweco Group and has his own investment company. For the last 5 years, Steve has focused exclusively on the development and use of digital twin technology to transform the design, build, operations and maintenance processes within the manufacturing, energy and transport sectors.

Mark Enzer

Mark is a keen champion of outcomes-focused systems-thinking, collaborative delivery models, digitalisation, connected digital twins and the circular economy in the built environment. Mark is the Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in the digitalisation of the built environment at the University of Cambridge. As Strategic Advisor at Mott MacDonald, Mark provides advice to key clients on digitalisation and broader industry transformation. Previously, Mark was the CTO of Mott MacDonald and the Director of the Centre for Digital Built Britain, where he was the Head of the National Digital Twin programme. Mark was the lead author of the Infrastructure Carbon Review, published by HM Treasury.

Registration is closed

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Sponsors

Contact

Bernd Ketzler

Scientific Coordinator

ketzler@chalmers.se

dtcc.chalmers.se

Lindholmen conference centre

Lindholmspiren 5, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden