Urban Digital Twins for Smart Cities and Citizens: The Case Study of Herrenberg, Germany

May combine two claims.

Using an urban digital twin in virtual reality is a novel way of using smart technologies for collaborative planning processes and facilitates consensus-building among participants with different backgrounds.

“Using an urban digital twin in virtual reality is not only a novel way of using smart technologies for collaborative planning processes, but also facilitates consensus-building among participants with different backgrounds [3].”

• cites [3] Dembski, F., Wössner, U., and Yamu, C. (2019, January 8–13). Digital Twin, Virtual Reality and Space Syntax: Civic engagement and decision support for smart, sustainable cities. Proceedings of the 12th International Space Syntax Conference, Beijing, China. sourceSupported

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The prototype is based on open access data and open source software, giving back sovereignty of the data and access to information to the citizens.

“This is based on open access data and open source software, giving back sovereignty of the data and access to information to the citizens.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Three people stated that they had done both prior experiences before.

“Three people stated that they had done both before.”

May combine two claims.

Almost everyone who filled out a questionnaire stated perceived positive effects of virtual urban models on local planning (95%) and public participatory processes (97%).

“Almost everyone who filled out a questionnaire stated perceived positive effects (95% and 97%, respectively).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The model was seen as interesting, comprehensible, concrete, clearly arranged, simple, and entertaining.

“It was seen as interesting, comprehensible, concrete, clearly arranged, simple, and entertaining.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The respondents wanted to know more about traffic flows, parking situations from Monday to Saturday, or the neighborhoods used only by pedestrians or cyclists.

“The respondents wanted to know more about traffic flows, parking situations from Monday to Saturday, or the neighborhoods used only by pedestrians or cyclists.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Using collaborative formats like stationary CAVEs or mobile facilities like VR back projection allows the engagement of up to 15 participants at the same time.

“Using collaborative formats like stationary CAVEs or mobile facilities like VR back projection allows the engagement of up to 15 participants at the same time.”

May combine two claims.

Concreteness and transparency are the two main advantages of virtual models mentioned in the questionnaires.

“Concreteness and transparency are the two main advantages of virtual models mentioned in the questionnaires.”

May combine two claims.

The users of the visualizations in virtual reality were enabled to experience different scales and take their own perspective.

“The users of the visualizations in virtual reality were enabled to experience different scales and take their own perspective (e.g., in scale 1:1 but also on any other scale).”

May combine two claims.

People with prior experience find the model to be more concrete, interesting, clearly arranged, entertaining, and comprehensible.

“They find it to be more concrete, interesting, clearly arranged, entertaining, and comprehensible.”

May combine two claims.

Virtual models can help to improve the interaction processes between citizens and official local representatives, especially because urban planning processes can be very complex and time-consuming.

“They can help to improve the interaction processes between citizens on the one hand and official local representatives on the other, especially in view of the fact that urban planning processes can be very complex and time-consuming activities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Urban digital twins allow us to pave a path towards sustainable urban development at all scales.

“Urban digital twins allow us to pave a path towards sustainable urban development at all scales.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The integrated airflow simulation and combination of data allows investigators to relate emissions to the potential volume of traffic and the distribution of emissions taking wind and factors like temperature and humidity into account.

“This simulation and combination of data allows investigators to relate emissions to the potential volume of traffic and the distribution of emissions taking wind and factors like temperature and humidity into account.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Experienced groups can implicitly or explicitly compare classical formats with the urban digital twin model of Herrenberg.

“Hence, experienced groups can implicitly or explicitly compare these classical formats with the urban digital twin model of Herrenberg.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Participatory processes are still mainly carried out using 2D city representations like plans and planning concepts in mainly technical and/or expert language.
• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Virtual, interactive models remain uncommon in the context of urban planning processes.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Experts and laypeople could interact more efficiently and effectively through better presentation of the complex information in urban planning processes.

“Experts and laypeople could interact more efficiently and effectively through better presentation of the complex information in urban planning processes.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

This opens up the potential to apply such digital twins in a similar configuration, adapted to the respective situation and problems, to other small and medium-sized cities facing similar challenges due to digital transformation and scarce resources.

“This opens up the potential to apply such digital twins in a similar configuration, of course, adapted to the respective situation and problems, to other small and medium-sized cities, of which there are thousands in Europe alone, facing similar challenges due to digital transformation and scarce resources.”

May combine two claims.

The sample was small and non-representative.

“First, it was only a small, non-representative sample.”

May combine two claims.

The Herrenberg digital twin differs from other simulation-based studies in the field of smart cities by linking and combining various urban data from models, analysis, and simulation and by implementing social data collected from citizens.

“The Herrenberg digital twin differs from other simulation-based studies in the field of smart cities, in particular by linking and combining various urban data from models, analysis, and simulation and by the implementation of social data collected from citizens.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The urban digital twin allowed us to gain a better understanding of potential solutions for urban challenges involving public decision-making to reach consensus.

“The urban digital twin allowed us to gain a better understanding of potential solutions for urban challenges involving public decision-making to reach consensus.”

May combine two claims.

Presenting results in an easier-to-understand way makes participation more attractive and can include groups of people that are otherwise not easily reached by such formats, such as children, teenagers, residents with a migration background, language barriers, or with a low level of education.

“This makes participation more attractive and can include groups of people that are otherwise not easily reached by such formats, such as children, teenagers, residents with a migration background, language barriers, or with a low level of education.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

This supports the involvement of a significant number of people in multiple sessions.

“This supports the involvement of a significant number of people in multiple sessions.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

By its nature as a model, the urban digital twin does not include all the information from the physical world and real life.

“However, by its nature as a model, the urban digital twin does not include all the information from the physical world and real life.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The processing of these big data sets and simulations in real-time requires high-performance computing (HPC).

“The processing of these big data sets and simulations in real-time requires high-performance computing (HPC).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

We do not know how well the models will actually work under real-life conditions.

“We do not know how well the models will actually work under real-life conditions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The collected data was gathered under consideration of data protection and after the participants had been informed accordingly and subsequently anonymized.

“The collected data was gathered under consideration of data protection and after the participants had been informed accordingly and subsequently anonymized.”

May combine two claims.

The visualization in virtual reality ('virtual twin') enables broad citizen participation and collaboration between stakeholders.

“Furthermore, the visualization in virtual reality (“virtual twin”) not only enables broad citizen participation but also collaboration between stakeholders.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The advantage of using virtual reality environments is that different participants with diverging professional and personal backgrounds can be informed simultaneously.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

We have only the view of our respondents.

“Second, we have only the view of our respondents.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

It has the potential to enable decision-makers to gain an understanding of the added value and limitation of digital technologies in the context of urban systems and applies digital technologies as a solution-oriented holistic approach.

“It has the potential to enable decision-makers to gain an understanding of the added value and limitation of digital technologies in the context of urban systems and applies digital technologies as a solution-oriented holistic approach.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Including historical data allows for a more accurate prediction of future scenarios.

“Including historical data allows for a more accurate prediction of future scenarios.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Digital twins enable comprehensive data exchange and can contain models, simulations, and algorithms describing their counterpart, including its features and behavior in the real world.

“Digital twins enable comprehensive data exchange and can contain models, simulations, and algorithms describing their counterpart, including its features and behavior in the real world [2].”

• cites [2] Kuhn, 2018, Digitaler Zwilling, Informatik Spektrum sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Presenting not only images of the real world but also different variants or plans of the future is especially helpful in participatory processes to facilitate communication, to involve large heterogeneous groups of citizens, and, consequently, to build consensus.

“This is especially helpful in participatory processes to facilitate communication, to involve large heterogeneous groups of citizens, and, consequently, to build consensus.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Some complex data are difficult or impossible to understand in any other form, especially for laymen or for people unfamiliar with the subject.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The urban digital twin cannot cover all aspects of real life or meet all expectations of participants in visualizations.

“Of course, the urban digital twin cannot cover all aspects of real life or meet all expectations of participants in visualizations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Digital tools can support citizen participation, but must be embedded in 'serious dialogues' that are valued by policymakers.

“Digital tools can support citizen participation, but must be embedded in ʺserious dialoguesʺ that are valued by policymakers [25].”

• cites [25] Renn, O., Ulmer, F., and Deckert, A. (2020). Digital tools in stakeholder participation for the Germany Energy Transition. Can digital tools improve participation and its outcome?. The Role of Public Participation in Energy Transitions, Academic Press Imprint. sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Virtual models could be applied to improve participatory processes by facilitating communication processes between experts and laypeople through better presentation of complex information.

“This could be applied, for example, by facilitating communication processes between experts and laypeople through better presentation of complex information.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The SUMO simulation uses a microscopic, space continuous, and time discrete car-following and lane-changing model.

“This simulation uses a microscopic, space continuous, and time discrete car-following and lane-changing model [23].”

• cites [23] 2010, Traffic Simulation with SUMO—Simulation of Urban Mobiliy, Fundamentals of Traffic Simulation sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The prototype of a digital twin for urban planning, set up in Herrenberg, has the potential to tackle urban complexity by visualizing complex processes and dependencies in urban systems, simulating possible outcomes and impacts, and taking into account the heterogeneous needs and requirements of its citizens by enabling participatory and collaborative planning.

“The prototype of a digital twin for urban planning, set up in Herrenberg, has the potential to tackle urban complexity by visualizing complex processes and dependencies in urban systems, simulating possible outcomes, and impacts and taking into account the heterogeneous needs and requirements of its citizens by enabling participatory and collaborative planning.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Conventional planning tools and methods fail to deal with the complexity of urban systems, as well as with the understanding of citizen needs and requirements.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Changes and the representation of variants, future designs, or visions were only possible in virtual reality in this form.

“Changes and the representation of, e.g., variants, future designs, or visions were only possible in this form in virtual reality.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The implicit or explicit links to former participation formats in the minds of our respondents were done by the research team in our context.

“Third, the implicit or explicit links to former participation formats in the minds of our respondents were done by the research team in our context.”

May combine two claims.

Model validation and consolidation were carried out with a questionnaire with 39 participants, enabling us to evaluate the meaningfulness of our approach.

“Model validation and consolidation were carried out with a questionnaire with 39 participants, enabling us to evaluate the meaningfulness of our approach.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

This information allows us to adjust the urban digital twin to the needs of citizens in order to provide an easy-to-comprehend model for the growing complexity of cities and towns.

“This information allows us to adjust the urban digital twin to the needs of citizens in order to provide an easy-to-comprehend model for the growing complexity of cities and towns.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Batty (2018) stated that there remains a strong need for additional social, economic, and environmental data.

“Furthermore, Batty (2018) stated that there remains a strong need for additional social, economic, and environmental data [1].”

• cites [1] Batty, 2018, Digital twins, Environ. Plan. B Urban Anal. City Sci. sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The Stuttgart hinterland can be characterized by a high traffic volume, mainly due to the high dependency on commuting, fragmented communities, and a lack of spatial governance.

“In general, the Stuttgart hinterland can be characterized by a high traffic volume, mainly due to the high dependency on commuting, fragmented communities, and a lack of spatial governance [24].”

• cites [24] Brenner Ingenieurgesellschaft GmbH (2014). Verkehrsvarianten zur Entlastung der Innenstadt, Stadt Herrenberg. Report.Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It was difficult to obtain comprehensive BIM data for the Herrenberg urban digital twin due to the complex nature of responsibilities.

“Here, as is often the case, data acquisition was also an issue: due to the complex nature of responsibilities, it was difficult to obtain comprehensive BIM data.”

May combine two claims.

The urban digital twin, as set up in Herrenberg, embraces both an understanding of the impact of implementing digital technologies in the context of urban systems and integrating solutions that overcome departmental thinking.

“The urban digital twin, as set up in Herrenberg, embraces both.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Smart city projects demand two crucial competencies: an understanding of the impact of implementing digital technologies in the context of urban systems, and integrating solutions that overcome departmental thinking.

May combine two claims.

Understanding spatial configuration not only allows the authors to develop scenarios but also to test them against the whole system.

“Understanding spatial configuration not only allows us to develop scenarios but also to test them against the whole system.”

May combine two claims.

The fact that the model is judged more positively on five of the six dimensions by people with prior experience compared to people without this experience leads to the conclusion that virtual models have the potential to improve participatory processes.

“Following this assumption, the fact that the model is judged more positively on five of the six dimensions by people with prior experience compared to people without this experience leads to the conclusion that virtual models have the potential to improve participatory processes.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Participatory processes are still mainly carried out using 2D city representations like plans and planning concepts in mainly technical and/or expert language.
• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Virtual, interactive models remain uncommon in the context of urban planning processes.