Guidelines for creating a Urban Digital Twin (UDT) module for urban regeneration scenarios that include climate change mitigation (CCM) and adaptation (CCA) to support design and decision-making

Urban areas face increasing challenges from climate change and require comprehensive approaches to address both mitigation and adaptation. The complexity of this integrated approach can be tackled through the adoption of digital enabling technologies in the realm of smart cities. In recent years, numerous Urban Digital Twins have been developed by cities worldwide to better support planners and designers with data, simulations, and visualizations.

This study explores the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation within Urban Digital Twins. The research identifies factors that are often overlooked in current implementations and provides guidelines for structuring Urban Digital Twin modules. By analyzing key functionalities and requirements, as well as insights from stakeholder interviews, this work highlights the potential of Urban Digital Twins in fostering holistically climate-proof urban development.

Key findings emphasize the importance of incorporating climate-related variables across Urban Digital Twin functions to support decision-making in urban regeneration and new urban development projects. Despite challenges such as data integration, the proposed guidelines aim to inform future Urban Digital Twin development efforts, enhancing their role in planning and designing more resilient urban areas. The paper presents a case study on the Urban Digital Twin of Helsinki, outlining essential factors and their implications for urban climate-proof decision-making.