Hamilton City Council's Digital Twin has emerged as a cornerstone of its strategic vision to transform the city into a more desirable place to live, work, and thrive. This innovative tool, a three-dimensional digital replica of the city, offers a unique platform for understanding the past, analysing the present, and envisioning the future.

The Digital Twin has significantly improved decision-making processes within Council and our partner organisations. By providing a visual representation of complex scenarios, it enables stakeholders to quickly assess the potential impacts of different options. For instance, in the context of greenfield developments, the Digital Twin has halved the time spent discussing options, leading to more efficient and informed decision-making. This not only benefits Council but also the development community, ultimately resulting in cost savings that can be passed on to residents.

As New Zealand’s fastest growing city, Hamilton faces a range of challenges, including infrastructure development, environmental management, and ensuring the well-being of our residents. The Digital Twin plays a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing a data-driven platform for informed decision-making. By reducing ambiguity and errors in processes, the Digital Twin helps to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Additionally, by keeping data management and analysis in-house, we are able to control costs and minimise reliance on external consultants.

The Digital Twin is being used to support a wide range of Council initiatives, including urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental management. It has been instrumental in projects such as bridge design, park lighting planning, and future neighbourhood centre visualisations. By providing a visual representation of these projects, our Digital Twin helps to engage stakeholders and build consensus.

Beyond its direct applications, the Digital Twin is also driving innovation and collaboration within Council. By fostering a culture of upskilling, we have empowered our employees to develop and maintain the technology. Additionally, the Digital Twin is inspiring new initiatives, such as using artificial intelligence for transportation network modelling.

The development of the Digital Twin has been a collaborative effort between Council and its partners. By working closely with Esri, a global leader in geographic information systems, Hamilton City Council has been able to develop a world-class platform at a fraction of the cost compared to similar local government projects completed elsewhere in New Zealand. This collaboration has not only accelerated the development of the Digital Twin but has also positioned Hamilton as a global leader in digital innovation.

The Digital Twin is playing a vital role in supporting Hamilton's sustainable development goals. By providing insights into land use patterns, infrastructure needs, and environmental impacts, the Digital Twin helps to inform decision-making and ensure that development is aligned with the city's long-term vision.

Hamilton City Council's Digital Twin is a powerful tool that is transforming the way the city is managed and developed. By providing a platform for data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and innovation, the Digital Twin is helping to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for Hamilton's residents. As the city continues to grow and evolve, the Digital Twin will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping its future.