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Digital twins

 

Source: LM 

Context:  India may soon join the ranks of cities and countries such as Singapore, Yingtan in China, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, etc. that have built digital twins to enhance their efficiency, coordination and governance.

 

About digital twins:

It is a three-dimensional (3D) virtual representation of a city or system that provides real-time insights into the performance, operation, or profitability of a city. For example, let’s say a city government wants to develop a new transport system. By creating a digital twin of the city, they can simulate the transport system and see how it will function in real-world conditions.
Purpose To improve efficiency, coordination, and governance of cities. E.g., digital twins can be used to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, improve the efficiency of public transportation systems, manage energy consumption, monitor air and water quality, and identify areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters.
Benefits Enables better planning of infrastructure at lower costs. Can support climate-smart cities or green infrastructure. Can improve healthcare, education, agriculture, and other areas
Challenges Requires large amounts of data collection and processing. Can be costly and time-consuming to develop. Requires expertise in data analysis and 3D modelling
Future potential Could revolutionize the way we plan and manage cities.  Could improve the quality of life for urban residents. This could lead to more sustainable and efficient use of resources