Using digital twins for co-designing cities: a review of digital participatory approaches

Source abstract

Urban design is crucial in fostering sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities. As digital technology advances, digital twins have emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing citizen participation in urban design. This scoping review systematically explores and maps existing digital twin-based frameworks, methods and tools that engage citizens in urban design processes. By synthesizing findings from 26 studies, this review identifies key trends, challenges and research gaps in implementing digital twins for participatory urban planning. The results suggest that digital twins facilitate enhanced decision-making, bridge the gap between experts and citizens and improve the accessibility of urban planning through interactive platforms. However, data governance, inclusivity and technical integration complexity persist. This study proposes a Digital Twin Framework that categorizes digital twins into four types: analytical, visualization-driven, interactive participatory and operational, each serving distinct functions in citizen engagement. The findings underscore the need for further research on the socio-technical implications of digital twin adoption in urban design, ensuring equitable and effective citizen participation. Future work should address technical barriers, ethical considerations and policy frameworks to maximize the potential of digital twins in shaping urban environments.