URBAN DIGITAL TWINS FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE

Location: Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich 

Country: Germany 

Contact Information: Heike Gebhardt Sub-project manager, Digital City Unit of the City of Leipzig [email protected] 

Website Address: https://www.connectedurbantwins.de/en/participation-by-the-urban-community/  

  • Project Details:  

The primary objective of the sub-project is to enhance traditional methods and tools for urban community involvement by integrating innovative digital collaboration techniques. This approach aims to engage a more diverse segment of the urban population. Additionally, the initiative seeks to bolster and equip municipalities with the skills and expertise needed to foster and expand civic engagement. 

Objectives of the sub-project 

  • Digital Participation: Enhance traditional participation by integrating digital methods to broaden target audience reach, build a Digital Participation System (DIPAS), Implement, and refine DIPAS in Leipzig and Munich test environments., collaborate with Hamburg in a live production setting, determine expansion aspects (either system-wide or specific components) and apply across all three cities. 
  • Competence Building: Support the introduction and adoption of new digital tools. Create documentation and guidelines to help other cities enhance their digital participation capabilities. 
  • Co-Creation: Investigate innovative collaborative methods stemming from digitalisation. Focus on the potential of Urban Digital Twins in co-creation processes. 

Thematic Area: Digitalisation. 

Thematic Sub-category: Sustainable Mobility, Smart city domains for the citizens in green cities, Smart city solutions and tools  

Type of Actor/Agent: Local council 

Typology of Green Urban Site: Urban 

  • Green City Elements used – Smart Economy, Smart People, Smart Governance, Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Citizen Engagement, Co-creation in Urban Planning,  
  • Engagement and Consultation:  

Target Group – Citizens 

Public Engagement – Proper public engagement. 

E-tools: https://www.connectedurbantwins.de/en/in-practice/  

  • Innovation and Impact:  

Level of Scale of Innovation: 5 

Abstract of Elements of Innovation – The project’s innovation is encapsulated in its holistic integration of traditional and digital civic engagement methods, the adaptability of the Digital Participation System (DIPAS) across diverse urban landscapes, its emphasis on equipping municipalities with the skills to harness these tools effectively, and its pioneering approach to co-creation, especially through the use of Urban Digital Twins, fostering a collaborative, bottom-up urban development process. 

Expected Impact High. 

  • Analysis: – Needs analysis conducted. 
  • Benefits (B) and Challenges (C):  

(B) Improving physical fitness and reducing depression, Increased cultural significance, Well-being benefits (such as people’s perception of increased biodiversity and improved visual quality of the environment), Social cost savings (such as the impact of reduced air pollution), Creation of green jobs and business opportunities, Adjusting psychological well-being and physical health, Enhancing social ties, Providing educational opportunities. 

(C) Its challenging by varying levels of digital literacy, infrastructure constraints, concerns over data privacy, inherent resistance to change, potential cultural and language barriers, limited municipal resources, the risk of engagement fatigue, the need to ensure inclusivity for all demographic groups, the importance of establishing a tangible feedback loop, and the continuous requirement for training and support for both city staff and the public. 

  • Resources and Transferability:  

Teaching Materials/Resources: https://www.connectedurbantwins.de/en/  

Personal Skills Required: Medium 

Non-discriminatory Principles Yes 

Transferability Potential High