Urban digital twin applications as a virtual platform of smart city

Abstract

Urban digital twin, which is the application of digital twin technology to cities, is recognized as an opportunity to upgrade urban planning and to develop successful smart cities. This study examines the applications of urban digital twins and their characteristics through an investigation of various cases and existing literature. It listed various applications that can be realized through the urban digital twin platform, and classified them from diverse perspectives for an in-depth understanding of individual items. Subsequently, a total of 40 cases of urban digital twin applications were collected and classified according to criteria, such as subject, service type, spatial scale, and operator and user. In conclusion, the future direction of urban digital twins was discussed from three perspectives: problem-solving, participation platform, and incremental scale-up. © International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development.