Short answer

When designing urban digital twins, focus on ensuring data can be easily integrated from various sources and clearly articulate the practical benefits and business case.

Field: Modelling
Source: Automation in Construction (2023)
Method: Systematic Literature Review and Delphi Expert Survey
Sample: Not specified for the literature review; 24 experts participated in the Delphi survey.
Evidence: Strong effect

The successful implementation of urban digital twins is significantly hampered by technical challenges in data interoperability and a lack of defined practical value or business models. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Automation in Construction. Using Systematic literature review and delphi expert survey with Not specified for the literature review; 24 experts participated in the Delphi survey., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing urban digital twins, focus on ensuring data can be easily integrated from various sources and clearly articulate the practical benefits and business case.

Study

ModellingRecentStrong effect

Interoperability and unclear business models are key barriers to urban digital twin adoption.

The successful implementation of urban digital twins is significantly hampered by technical challenges in data interoperability and a lack of defined practical value or business models.

Automation in Construction · 2023

Key Findings

01Interoperability issues, such as disparate semantic standards, are a major technical challenge.
02A lack of clear business models and practical value proposition hinders adoption.
0314 technical and 9 non-technical challenges were identified and mapped to the digital twin lifecycle.

Application

Design takeaway

When designing urban digital twins, focus on ensuring data can be easily integrated from various sources and clearly articulate the practical benefits and business case.

How to apply

When proposing or developing an urban digital twin, conduct a thorough assessment of potential interoperability issues and develop a robust business case before proceeding with extensive development.

Project actions

01When researching digital twins, look for studies that discuss data integration and practical applications.
02Consider how your proposed digital twin will connect with existing urban data systems.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the primary technical and non-technical challenges hindering the operationalization of urban digital twins, and how do they map to the digital twin lifecycle?

MethodSystematic Literature Review and Delphi Expert Survey

ProcedureA systematic review of existing literature was conducted to identify challenges. This was supplemented by a Delphi survey involving experts from academia, industry, and government to gather and refine insights on these challenges.

SampleNot specified for the literature review; 24 experts participated in the Delphi survey.

ContextUrban digital twin development and implementation.

Variables

IVChallenges in urban digital twin operation (e.g., interoperability, business models).

DVSuccess and adoption of urban digital twins.

CVUrban context, lifecycle phase of the digital twin.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Combines systematic literature review with expert consensus building.
+Addresses both technical and non-technical aspects of digital twin challenges.

Limitations

The Delphi method relies on the subjective opinions of experts.

Reliability & validity

The Delphi method aims to increase reliability through expert consensus, but validity depends on the representativeness and expertise of the panel.

Think critically

To what extent can the identified challenges be overcome through technological advancements versus requiring fundamental shifts in urban governance and economic structures?

Design Principles

"For complex digital models, prioritize interoperability and a demonstrable value proposition."

Designers and engineers developing digital twin solutions must address the fundamental issues of how different data sources will integrate and what tangible benefits the twin will provide to stakeholders. Overlooking these aspects can lead to the creation of complex models that are difficult to deploy and ultimately fail to deliver on their potential.

What This Means for Your Design

Building digital copies of cities is hard because getting all the different computer systems to talk to each other is tricky, and it's not always clear how they will make money or be useful.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of addressing interoperability and business model development in your design project's evaluation criteria.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The operationalization of urban digital twins faces significant challenges, primarily concerning data interoperability and the establishment of clear business models. Research indicates that disparate semantic standards impede seamless data integration, while a lack of defined practical value and viable economic strategies hinders widespread adoption and investment.

Source

Automation in Construction

Challenges of urban digital twins: A systematic review and a Delphi expert survey

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about interoperability and unclear business models are key barriers to urban digital twin adoption?: When designing urban digital twins, focus on ensuring data can be easily integrated from various sources and clearly articulate the practical benefits and business case. Evidence: Automation in Construction (2023).
Why does "Interoperability and unclear business models are key barriers to urban digital twin adoption." matter for design?: Designers and engineers developing digital twin solutions must address the fundamental issues of how different data sources will integrate and what tangible benefits the twin will provide to stakeholders. Overlooking these aspects can lead to the creation of complex models that are difficult to deploy and ultimately fail to deliver on their potential.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing urban digital twins, focus on ensuring data can be easily integrated from various sources and clearly articulate the practical benefits and business case.
What were the main findings?: Interoperability issues, such as disparate semantic standards, are a major technical challenge.. A lack of clear business models and practical value proposition hinders adoption.. 14 technical and 9 non-technical challenges were identified and mapped to the digital twin lifecycle.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review and Delphi Expert Survey with Not specified for the literature review; 24 experts participated in the Delphi survey..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Automation in Construction.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When proposing or developing an urban digital twin, conduct a thorough assessment of potential interoperability issues and develop a robust business case before proceeding with extensive development.
What are the limitations?: The research corpus was initially small, and the Delphi method relies on expert consensus, which may not capture all perspectives.