Digital twins to modernize the cities of tomorrow

Cities must now adapt and anticipate these major changes: whether it is the acceleration of urbanization, the scarcity of natural resources, the rise in energy prices, the impact of events increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions.

In this context, leaders of local authorities need tools to facilitate the understanding of their territories in all their complexity, to understand the impacts of their public policies in the long term, and thus facilitate sustainable and consensual decision-making. . In this context, more and more cities are adopting digital twins. In order to facilitate access to this technology, Dassault Systèmes now offers its “3DEXPERIENCE” cockpit which allows cities to access virtual twin services “as a service”, in the form of providing studies.

“Thinking and materializing the city of the future”

The virtual twin of a city is an exact replica of the many systems that make it up (transport, education, energy, green spaces, etc.). It is produced in 3D from scientific data available to communities, and facilitates their interpretation by stakeholders. From this modeling, simulations are then possible to analyze the impacts of public policies.

For example, a city that wishes to reduce its level of fine particles to comply with legislation can simulate several mobility options and thus define the scenario that allows it to achieve the set objectives, and thus implement this decision with knowledge. of cause. The visualization of fine particles in the virtual twin as well as the quantified pollution levels allow for easier understanding. It is also possible to analyze the impact of a new construction project on the “urban heat island” effect of a neighborhood, obtaining scientifically accurate, numerical results.

In very different circumstances, virtual twins can be used to rebuild cities. In Ukraine, public authorities have decided to test the benefits of virtual twin technology for the reconstruction of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine. The government has therefore appointed three French companies – Dassault Systèmes, Egis and B4, specializing in 3D virtual technologies, construction and engineering respectively – to help restore some of the country's most damaged urban areas.

Thus, territorial decision-makers can now rely on technological tools to plan and identify the consequences that will result from each urban project.

“Collaborate to virtually experience public decision-making”

Collaboration within communities is a major issue. All urban projects involve several departments and pooling their data is key to obtaining a holistic vision of the city. Thus, the virtual twin becomes the common working environment for the different teams. It facilitates consensus around shared findings among stakeholders.

For more than 20 years, the metropolis of Rennes has used 3D models to represent and understand its territory. In 2017, the metropolis developed the virtual twin of its territory with Dassault Systèmes, to promote collaboration within its various organizations. The virtual twin compiles geometric, topographic, demographic, mobility and other data into a unified visual model. It allows the city's internal and external stakeholders to plan and manage all equipment, infrastructure or environmental initiative projects in a transversal and collaborative manner.

In addition, the digital twin becomes a communication tool with citizens to present future projects and justify them using numerical data. It is also used to “listen to the voice of citizens and thus take their feedback into account in the decision-making process.

“Facing environmental challenges and climate change”

The digital twin of cities is a very powerful tool for planning city resilience. It also makes it possible to anticipate and improve risk management.

In Japan, Dassault Systèmes and NTT demonstrated the capabilities of virtual city twins to support the Smart Keihanna project sponsored by the Ministry of Land Planning, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Keihanna's digital twin was created on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to analyze the potential impact risks of a river flood. From the city repository and data relating to buildings (number of floors, types of activity, number of people accommodated), combined with NTT mobile data, on population movements in the region, the digital twin has made it possible to understand the precise impact of flooding on the population. Information about evacuation centers was integrated into the digital twin to determine the possible evacuation scenario.

Recently, Dassault Systèmes worked with SOLIDEO – Olympic Works Delivery Company – to carry out a simulation of thermal comfort in one of the buildings of the athletes' village. The challenge was to evaluate the thermal efficiency of insulation materials and cooling floors in the event of a heatwave. In fact, a choice was made not to equip these buildings with air conditioning for ecological reasons. After modeling heatwave episodes, the results show that it will be 6°C cooler indoors than outdoors, or “between 23°C and 26°C. This simulation therefore confirmed the architectural choice of SOLIDEO. After the games, these buildings will be converted to benefit local populations, so energy efficiency is a key issue in the long term.

The Virtual Twin is therefore a tool that facilitates informed decision-making in planning choices to make the city resilient in the long term and pleasant for the citizens who reside there.

Tribune by Jacques Beltran, Vice-President Cities and Public Services at Dassault Systèmes (LinkedIn).