Auckland Digital Twin Pilot Project: Enhancing Efficiency and Citizen Engagement
We are excited to shine a light on the Auckland Digital Twin pilot project, an initiative being contributed to by several leading Auckland companies and institutions, including Eke Panuku, Koi Tū and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. This innovative initiative aims to revolutionize town planning, citizen engagement and infrastructure optimization in Auckland.
One of the key challenges of mapping out the future plans for the city is that the plans themselves are quite technical documents that can inadvertently discourage active participation by all. Through the integration of a gamified visualization interface and city-scale datasets, the Auckland Digital Twin project aspires to achieve these lofty objectives through the creation of an interactive Digital Twin representation of the existing, and planned physical environment. By assisting users to visualise and interact with potential future scenarios, the project ultimately seeks to communicate future development plans and facilitate the gathering of public feedback to better engage with stakeholders concerning the future direction of the city. This digitally-enabled consultation could be characterized as profoundly enhancing democracy.
A diverse group known as the “coalition of the willing” has been established to develop an investment proposal that outlines the problem statement, risks, opportunities, and costs associated with the initial pilot stage of the project.
Seeking funding and expanding the contributing participants are the next significant milestones for the Auckland Digital Twin pilot. The team is now engaging with organizations in an effort to secure the necessary funding, with the goal of receiving endorsement and ultimately active participation from local government and Council Controlled Organisations.
The Auckland Digital Twin pilot focuses on the city center, a key economic hub contributing 7-8% of New Zealand’s nationwide GDP. One notable aspect of this project is the integration of indigenous storytelling. The Digital Twin will provide a platform for city planners to communicate with local citizens and gather their valuable feedback. This engagement will assist in developing use cases and identifying development opportunities that align with the community’s needs. If the pilot proves to be successful, it is envisaged the digital twin would ultimately be expanded to encompass the entire Auckland region.
Ensuring open access for users and citizen engagement is a crucial aspect. Consequently, ownership and curation of the platform have been carefully considered, with the suggestion that an independent organization should assume responsibility for the next phase of the project.
In order to propel the Auckland Digital Twin project forward, a more detailed project plan is in development.
We are excited about the advancements being made in the Auckland Digital Twin pilot. Its potential to revolutionize town planning, optimize infrastructure, and foster citizen engagement is truly remarkable. We will continue to keep you updated on the project’s progress and its potential impact on shaping the future of our city.
