The Role of Digital Twins in Smart Cities

Abstract

Digital twin technology is changing the way of urban planning and development of smart city by building digital copy of physical infrastructures in real time. In this paper, the concept of digital twins, their use in smart cities, and the advantages they bring to the optimization of urban operations, resources, and decisions are investigated. The IoT, AI, and data analytics are discussed as key technologies enabling digital twins while challenges like cybersecurity, data privacy, and integration complexities are also addressed. Finally, this paper highlights the recent developments in digital twin frameworks and their implications in supporting sustainable and resilient urban development against the backdrop of environmental changes.