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A Review of Urban Digital Twins Integration, Challenges, and Future Directions in Smart City Development

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  • Silvia Mazzetto

    (SALab Sustainable Architecture Lab, Department of Architecture, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This review paper explores Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) and their crucial role in developing smarter cities, focusing on making urban areas more sustainable and well-planned. The methodology adopted an extensive literature review across multiple academic databases related to UDTs in smart cities, sustainability, and urban environments, conducted by a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer to identify key research trends and qualitative analysis through thematic categorization. This paper shows how UDTs can significantly change how cities are managed and planned by examining examples from cities like Singapore and Dubai. This study points out the main hurdles like gathering data, connecting systems, handling vast amounts of information, and making different technologies work together. It also sheds light on what is missing in current research, such as the need for solid rules for using UDTs effectively, better cooperation between various city systems, and a deeper look into how UDTs affect society. To address research gaps, this study highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration. It also calls for establishing comprehensive models, universal standards, and comparative studies among traditional and UDT methods. Finally, it encourages industry, policymakers, and academics to join forces in realizing sustainable, smart cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Mazzetto, 2024. "A Review of Urban Digital Twins Integration, Challenges, and Future Directions in Smart City Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-33, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8337-:d:1485608
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. R. Mahendrini Fernando Ariyachandra & Gayan Wedawatta, 2023. "Digital Twin Smart Cities for Disaster Risk Management: A Review of Evolving Concepts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Mahmoud Ibrahim & Anton Rassõlkin & Toomas Vaimann & Ants Kallaste, 2022. "Overview on Digital Twin for Autonomous Electrical Vehicles Propulsion Drive System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, January.
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    5. Ebrahim Hamid Hussein Al-Qadami & Zahiraniza Mustaffa & Mohamed E. Al-Atroush, 2022. "Evaluation of the Pavement Geothermal Energy Harvesting Technologies towards Sustainability and Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Juhyun Lee & Julia Babcock & Thai Son Pham & Thu Hien Bui & Myounggu Kang, 2023. "Smart city as a social transition towards inclusive development through technology: a tale of four smart cities," International Journal of Urban Sciences, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(S1), pages 75-100, January.
    7. Michaela Kollarova & Tomas Granak & Stanislava Strelcova & Jozef Ristvej, 2023. "Conceptual Model of Key Aspects of Security and Privacy Protection in a Smart City in Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
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    2. Vincenzo Barrile & Emanuela Genovese & Clemente Maesano & Sonia Calluso & Maurizio Pasquale Manti, 2025. "Developing an Urban Digital Twin for Environmental and Risk Assessment: A Case Study on Public Lighting and Hydrogeological Risk," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Doo Hong Lee & Brent Chamberlain & Hye Yeon Park, 2025. "Toward a Construct-Based Definition of Urban Green Space: A Literature Review of the Spatial Dimensions of Measurement, Methods, and Exposure," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-37, March.
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    6. Haidar Hosamo & Silvia Mazzetto, 2024. "Data-Driven Ventilation and Energy Optimization in Smart Office Buildings: Insights from a High-Resolution Occupancy and Indoor Climate Dataset," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-36, December.

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