Local Digital Twins for Area Development
The Municipality of Veenendaal is growing from 70,000 to 100,000 inhabitants and is exploring how Local Digital Twins (LDTs) can support complex urban and spatial development challenges. Through a Value Sensitive Design (VSD) approach, the project will develop a sustainable, reusable, and ethically responsible implementation methodology over four years, aimed at improving policymaking, decision-making, and societal impact.
Objective
The Professional Doctorate (PD) trajectory enables municipalities to make responsible, data-driven decisions regarding spatial and urban development. It develops insights and practical approaches for the implementation of Local Digital Twins (LDTs), addressing key aspects such as change management, process impact, business case development, data quality, and the responsible use of technology.
Results
The research delivers an implementation methodology and insights into the competencies required for the effective application of Local Digital Twins (LDTs). In the short term, impact is achieved through the direct use of LDT capabilities, while in the long term, the methodology supports structural improvements in decision-making and spatial development processes.
Approach
Using Value Sensitive Design (VSD), the project investigates how public values such as transparency, democratic decision-making, stakeholder autonomy, and trust can be embedded in the application of Local Digital Twins (LDTs). This ensures that the focus is not only on the technology itself, but also on its societal and ethical integration within decision-making processes.
"Local Digital Twins are only valuable for municipalities if they safeguard public values, such as democratic decision-making, transparency, and explainability, rather than undermining them. "
Education impact
The research develops an implementation methodology and provides insights into the competencies required for the responsible use of Local Digital Twins (LDTs). This generates immediate practical impact while supporting long-term improvements in urban decision-making. In addition, it contributes to both knowledge development and professional growth, and enhances understanding of how societal transitions influence municipal decision-making processes.
HU researchers involved in the research
Collaboration with knowledge partners
Co-funding
SIA RAAK and municipality of Veenendaal
