How can we unlock a human-centric simulation for a better urban future?

Our built environment is more than a 3D-space – it is dynamic and full of movement. Constant, daily fluctuations change the way we move or make use of services. The fifth WDBE2021 Community Session will explore the potential of geospatial digital twins in its journey to unlock urban supersensing. The benefits of the digital twins are becoming increasingly apparent in Smart urban design as these tools increase efficiency and data-driven decisions. With knowledge, we can understand our movement and behaviour, create a more sustainable environment and anticipate the future.

In addition to general analysis tools, a game engine -based solution for digital twins is gaining interest in future city planning. The user can design the environment, collect and analyse the data they want real-time in a highly accurate 3D world. The visualisation helps the user to understand the future opportunities.

The built environment constantly generates valuable information as an input to these tools and is also the largest consumer of spatial data. As the need for spatial information and services continues to grow, it is valuable for geospatial community to work with a wide range of construction industry players.

World of Digital Built Environment, WDBE2021, with its annual theme of Unlocking Urban Supersensing, is organising the fifth Community Session together with GeoForum Finland. The virtual event provides concrete examples on the current use of game engines, urban 3D-models, and GIS with a special focus on human-centric approach. Furthermore, the session will provide valuable information on the opportunities and benefits of this approach to everyone from smart city actors to urban dwellers.

What is a digital twin in this context?

Why should cities move towards a more human-centred design?

What are the benefits?

The panelists will discuss the benefits and challenges of combining GIS, BIM and game engines, the joint view on digital twins and open data as well as the importance of data interoperability in different approaches.

On behalf of GeoForum Finland and WDBE2021 we welcome everyone to join our Community Session early September to participate in conversations and learn from each other. The final date will be set during July.