The Digital Twin of Dubai | GIS Center Dubai | Dubai Municipality

Summary

The Dubai Municipality's GIS Center has developed a 'Digital Twin' of Dubai over the past three to four years, creating a 3D digital replica of the city to support sustainable urban development. The project integrates diverse data sources, including LIDAR, drones, and mobile mapping, to update and maintain a comprehensive geospatial database. It serves various applications, such as high-definition maps for autonomous vehicles and drone delivery services, and has enhanced the city's addressing system. The platform, 'Dubai Here,' aims to unify 2D and 3D data, assets, and services, reflecting the UAE's ambition for a federated national GIS system.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Dubai Digital Twin is a project developed over the past 3-4 years as part of the digital strategy of Dubai Municipality.
• 🏢 The GIS Center in Dubai Municipality is responsible for geospatial data and maps, which is foundational to the Digital Twin project.
• 🤖 The main goal of the Digital Twin is to create a happy and sustainable city using the latest technology to address challenges.
• 🔄 The Digital Twin is a digital replica of Dubai, incorporating various data sources and methodologies for a comprehensive representation.
• 🏙️ It includes both 2D and 3D data, ranging from underground utilities to the sky, with standardized workflows across different entities.
• 🗺️ The Digital Twin serves as a base for high-definition maps, crucial for autonomous vehicles and drone operations in Dubai.
• 🛠️ The platform 'Dubai HERE' integrates 2D and 3D data, asset information, and services, aiming to be a one-stop solution for Dubai's data needs.
• 📈 The Digital Twin uses technologies like LiDAR, mobile mapping, drones, and indoor scanning to capture and update the city's 3D models.
• 🔢 An upgraded addressing system (Makani for units) links detailed data for improved service recognition and safety.
• 🏗️ BIM (Building Information Modeling) integration is part of a five-year roadmap, enhancing the Digital Twin with construction and facility data.
• 🔗 The Building Permit Platform feeds the Digital Twin directly with geospatial data from new constructions, ensuring data sustainability.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the GIS Center in Dubai Municipality?

The GIS Center in Dubai Municipality is responsible for all geospatial data and maps, capturing, monitoring, and storing this data in Dubai.

What is the main goal of creating the digital twin of Dubai?

The main goal of creating the digital twin of Dubai is to achieve a happy and sustainable city by using the latest technology to maintain and cover challenges through these technologies.

What unique methodologies does the Dubai digital twin employ?

The Dubai digital twin uses different methodologies, sources of data, and types of data to feed its platform, ensuring sustainability and accuracy.

What types of data does the digital twin of Dubai contain?

The digital twin of Dubai contains a mix of 2D and 3D data, including base maps, standardized workflows, and information from underground to the sky of Dubai.

How does the digital twin support the use of autonomous vehicles in Dubai?

The digital twin provides high-definition maps that serve as the base maps for autonomous vehicles, aiding in their navigation and operation within the city.

What role does the digital twin play in Dubai's drone initiatives?

The digital twin prepares maps for commercial drone usage, such as delivering medicine or food, by providing accurate and updated geospatial data for these purposes.

What is the name of the platform used for the digital twin of Dubai, and what does it include?

The platform is called 'Dubai 2.0', and it includes both 2D and 3D data, information on assets, buildings, services, facilities, and underground utilities.

What technologies are used to create the 3D model of Dubai for the digital twin?

Technologies such as LiDAR devices, mobile mapping, drones, and indoor building scanners are used to create point clouds and panoramas, which are then converted into 3D models.

How does the digital twin of Dubai enhance the addressing system?

The digital twin has enabled an upgrade from 'Makani for building' to 'Makani for units', providing a unique code for each unit in Dubai for better linking and data integration.

What is the role of BIM in the development of the digital twin?

BIM (Building Information Modeling) provides a roadmap with standards and integration for the development of the digital twin, ensuring a comprehensive and up-to-date model.

How does the building permit platform contribute to the digital twin?

The building permit platform is a unified system that feeds geospatial data from new constructions into the digital twin, ensuring the model remains current and comprehensive.

Are there plans to link the digital twins of individual emirates to create a unified UAE digital twin?

Yes, the Federal Center of GIS was established in 2019 with the aim of combining data and creating a single map of the emirates, which will eventually include the digital twins of each emirate.

What challenges does the digital twin face with data integration from multiple sources and formats?

Challenges include handling different data formats and sources, which are addressed by using a unified and flexible data model that can accommodate all types of data.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to Dubai's Digital Twin Project

The script introduces the Digital Twin of Dubai, a project that has been in development for the past three to four years. The GIS Center in Dubai Municipality, established in 2001, is responsible for geospatial data and maps in Dubai. The Digital Twin was created to support the digital strategy of Dubai Municipality, aiming to build a happy and sustainable city using the latest technology. The Digital Twin is a digital replica of the city, incorporating various data sources and methodologies to create a comprehensive and sustainable platform. It includes 2D and 3D data, from underground to aerial views, and integrates information from different entities to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information. The script also mentions the use of the Digital Twin for high-definition maps for autonomous vehicles and drones, as well as for decision-making in smart city management.

05:01

🛰️ Enhancing Dubai's Infrastructure with Digital Twin Technologies

This paragraph discusses the advancements in Dubai's addressing system through the Digital Twin, upgrading from 'Makani for building' to 'Makani for units,' providing a unique code for each unit in Dubai. The Digital Twin plays a crucial role in this upgrade, linking various data sources to enrich the platform with necessary information. The Building Information Modeling (BIM) roadmap, initiated in 2020, is also highlighted, with a clear five-year plan for integration and standards. The script mentions the building permit platform, which feeds geospatial data into the Digital Twin, ensuring the platform remains comprehensive and up-to-date. The potential for linking the Digital Twin with services like DIVA for mapping usage and identifying inefficiencies is also suggested, emphasizing the importance of an integrated digital platform for safety and service optimization.

10:01

🔄 Addressing Data Integration Challenges in the Digital Twin

The final paragraph addresses the challenges of integrating data from multiple sources and formats into the Digital Twin. The speaker mentions the development of a unified data model that is flexible enough to accommodate the diverse data inputs. This model has been successfully implemented, reaching a level that can handle all formats and sources of data. The audience applauds this achievement, indicating the significance of overcoming such integration hurdles in creating a robust and functional Digital Twin for Dubai.

Keywords

💡Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical entity or system, which is used to understand and predict the behavior of its real-world counterpart. In the context of the video, the digital twin of Dubai is a comprehensive digital replica of the city, incorporating various data types to create a sustainable and accurate representation. It is a key component of Dubai's digital strategy, aiming to create a happy and sustainable city using the latest technology.

💡Geospatial Data

Geospatial data refers to information that is linked to a specific location and can be used to understand geographic patterns and relationships. In the video, the GIS Center in Dubai Municipality is responsible for capturing, monitoring, and storing geospatial data, which is crucial for the creation and maintenance of the digital twin of Dubai, providing the foundation for its 2D and 3D data representations.

💡Dubai Municipality

Dubai Municipality is the local government authority responsible for the administration and development of Dubai city. The video mentions that the digital twin project aligns with the digital strategy of Dubai Municipality, which aims to utilize technology to address urban challenges and improve city management.

💡3D Modeling

3D modeling is the process of creating a three-dimensional representation of an object or environment. In the script, 3D modeling is used to create the base of the digital twin of Dubai, which includes detailed information about the city's buildings, streets, and other infrastructures, contributing to the city's digital replica.

💡LiDAR

LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create high-resolution point clouds of the environment. The video mentions the use of LiDAR devices to capture data for the digital twin, enabling the creation of detailed 3D models of Dubai's cityscape.

💡Drones

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are used in various applications, including data capture for the digital twin. In the video, drones are utilized to create orthophotos, Digital Terrain Models (DTM), and Digital Surface Models (DSM), which contribute to the detailed mapping and modeling of Dubai.

💡BIM (Building Information Modeling)

BIM is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. The script discusses a roadmap for BIM in Dubai, which includes standards and integration plans to ensure that building data is incorporated into the digital twin, enhancing its accuracy and utility.

💡Makani Addressing System

The Makani addressing system is a unique coding system for buildings and units in Dubai. The video explains the upgrade from 'Makani for building' to 'Makani for units,' which allows for more precise location identification. This system is integrated with the digital twin to improve data linkage and service delivery.

💡Dubai 3D

Dubai 3D is the platform that hosts the digital twin of Dubai. It is designed to present both 2D and 3D data, including information about assets, buildings, services, facilities, and underground utilities. The platform is a central hub for accessing and utilizing the comprehensive data captured by various technologies for the digital twin.

💡Federal Center of GIS

The Federal Center of GIS is an initiative announced by the United Arab Emirates to combine geospatial data and create a unified map of the emirates. The video mentions this center's role in potentially linking the digital twins of individual emirates, such as Dubai, to create a larger, cohesive digital representation of the UAE.

💡Data Integration

Data integration is the process of combining data from different sources into a single unified view. The script highlights the challenges and efforts to integrate data from various formats and sources into the digital twin of Dubai. This integration is essential for creating a comprehensive and accurate digital representation of the city.

Highlights

Introduction to the Dubai Municipality's GIS Center, responsible for geospatial data and maps since 2001.

Creation of the Digital Twin of Dubai to fulfill the digital strategy and achieve a happy and sustainable city.

The Digital Twin is a comprehensive digital replica of Dubai, incorporating 2D and 3D data.

Inclusion of data from underground to the sky, with a standardized workflow between entities.

Utilization of the Digital Twin for high-definition maps, supporting autonomous vehicles and drone services.

Dubai's platform for the Digital Twin, 'Dubai Here', presents 2D and 3D data with asset information.

Technologies used for the Digital Twin include LiDAR devices, mobile mapping, and drones for detailed data capture.

Indoor building models are scanned to create point clouds and panoramas for 3D modeling.

The Digital Twin integrates data from multiple sources to ensure up-to-date and comprehensive coverage.

Upgrade of Dubai's addressing system from 'Makani for building' to 'Makani for units' for better data linkage.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) roadmap for integration with the Digital Twin, starting in 2020.

Unified building permit platform to feed geospatial data directly into the Digital Twin.

Potential future linking with services like DIVA for mapping usage and identifying inefficiencies.

Current progress of the Digital Twin project, focusing on 3D buildings and underground utilities.

Plans for a Federal Center of GIS to combine data and create a single map of the UAE emirates.

Challenges in aggregating data from multiple sources and formats, with a unified data model to address them.

Achievements in accommodating various data formats and sources within the Digital Twin platform.

Transcripts

so let us start i'll give you a brief

about the digital twin of dubai

it is actually a project that we worked

on

in the past four to three years

first of all let me introduce you with

the gis center we are actually a center

in dubai municipality

that was created back in 2001 by low

number six we are the center responsible

for all of the geospatial data

geospatial maps and in terms of

capturing monitoring and storing the

data in dubai so because of that and

because we wanted to achieve the digital

strategy of dubai municipality we

created the digital twin the digital

twin allow the digital strategy to

fulfill the its goal so the main goal is

to have happy and sustainable city to

use all the latest technology to make

sure our

challenges are

maintained and covered through those

technologies so what is the digital twin

it is actually a digital replica of the

city i know you have heard about it a

lot during the sessions but what is

unique in dubai digital twin we are

actually using different methodologies

different sources of data and different

types of data in order to

feed our digital twin platform and make

it sustainable for us the digital twin

contains a lot of information a lot of

2d and 3d data we went from underground

to above ground to the sky of dubai also

as you can see here and it is actually a

mix of 2d and 3d data so it contains

bayes maps it contains standards it's it

contains a standardized workflow in

between a different entity as i said the

center is responsible about the

geospatial data and dubai so we

collaborate with other entities to make

sure that their data is fed to our

databases are

feeding the digital twin and it is

updated in order for the user to use a

very accurate updated digital twin so

what is at the digital twin right now

you can see the base of the digital twin

as

said previously is the

3d modeling of the city but what added

information to the 3d model you can see

here we can see the future of dubai so

this is an area that is still planned

but we can see the as designed building

and the 3d

model with all of the information of the

streets the heights the the other

details how we can utilize the

digital one or how we are utilizing the

digital one right now i'm sure you heard

about the high definition maps uh that

we started on so we're trying to use the

digital twin the maps in the digital

twin and to providing the

base maps for the autonomous vehicle

another use is the drones as you can see

dubai is planning to use the drones for

the commercial usage like for delivering

medicine or delivering food so we are

preparing those map in order to

give them the opportunity to start using

the drones

for those purposes and of course it is

for the decision making of

the management in the internet

so what is our platform for the digital

twin it is called dubai here

we meant to call it like that because we

mean we we have all of what is available

in dubai here in one platform and it can

present both 2d and 3d data it has the

information of the assets

buildings services facilities

underground utilities and all of that

what is available what you can see in

the ground you can see it in the buy

here as i said at the beginning the

digital twin can be done within one

project or through one project it has uh

to be done through

several sources using different

technologies and different

projects so one of the technologies that

we're using as the lidar device or the

mobile mapping as you know it contains a

lidar device cameras with a very high

resolution and our lidar takes up to two

million uh point cloud in one second so

imagine the uh how huge is our data

and we create and the outcome of it is a

point cloud and pararama that help us to

create a 3d model of the city with the

with the assets detail

another source of data that

we're using as a technology is the

drones the drones that we have actually

two drones they are used in order to

create two ortho photos dtm and dsm we

have another device which is for

scanning indoor models of the buildings

and it creates again a point cloud and

panorama and we can use it to convert

from the point cloud and the panorama

into 3d modeling

as i said we're using different uh

sources in order to make sure that our

digital twin is up to date covering all

aspects of a digital one one of the

advantage of from the digital twin we

could upgrade our addressing system from

makani for building to makani for units

so makani for building is a 10 digit

number for each building and now we have

upgraded it into a unique code for each

unit in dubai it is actually we started

already the project and we have used the

digital one in order to accommodate this

and we are using the unit or the the

unique code

to link in between other data from other

entities in order to make our digital

twin filled with the information

required

another input of our digital twin is

that by bim we have a road map for the

bible bim that started in 2020 and we

have a very clear a clear five years

roadmap with standards with an

integration and a platform the roadmap

as you can see here it's for four years

and it covers many aspects of the bible

and we are in year three now the last

thing uh as an input for the digital

twin is the building permit platform

which is a unified platform for the

building permit it was built in order to

feed our digital one with the data

from

the source so whenever anyone takes a

permit in dubai to start the

construction they will have to share

with us the geospatial data that we

require to in order to sustain the data

of the digital twin and you can see here

the platform includes not only 3d model

conversion platform it also includes

standards it includes the latest

technology in order to make sure our

digital one is fed and

covering all of the aspects and

comprehensive of course for dubai while

you're presenting popped into my head so

you're

now going to the unit level

does that mean that in future you'll be

able to link with for instance diva and

people will start to be able to or

they'll be able to map usage look for

inefficiencies or look where there's a

sudden high usage et cetera yes the

thing is the main purpose of makani unit

addressing is to link those kind of data

dua all of the services at salad do so

in order to to to

specially

recognize the

person or the usage of that service or

or the rented or the who's living there

and etc so we want to know

not only in which building you're living

in or you're utilizing the services we

want to know in which floor and in which

unit exactly this is first of all is for

safety and and to make sure that

everyone is saved police can reach you

very easily and

civil defense can reach you and villas

can reach you this is the first main

objective and the second one is to have

an integrated

digital one or integrated platform with

all of these data

ngis and this is a massive undertaking

you said it's been three to four years

where have you reached in the project

and digit and the dubai and building the

dubai digital twin oh and the building

dubai digital as i said we have a

couple of projects feeding the digital

twin we are right now in a good phase in

terms of 3d buildings and underground

utilities but

of course for a digital one you can just

stand still with with the 3d model you

need the information to be integrated so

right now we we we are trying to

integrate with the other entities to the

level that we want not only to the level

of the location as i said of the assets

but to the exact location of the asset

including the z value as i said and i

appreciate you may not know the answer

to this question

um

now i know from speaking to people

people in abu dhabi that there's plans

around an abu dhabi digital twin so is

the kind of very long-term ambition of

the uae

to have each emirate linked up with

a digital twin do you know yes of course

in 2019 the united arab emirates

announced the establishment of the

federal center of gis the the main

purpose of the federal center of gis

will be combining all of these data and

creating a single

letter single map of the emirate

they started with the basic information

which is the streets and the the imagery

and and those basically let's say

feature but of course at the end

definitely they will combine all of the

digital trends of the whole emirates

okay thank you

thank you myself for the insight for

presentation just

have a question about your last point

about aggregating the data from multiple

sources as i see that you have a lot of

data to consume

coming from multiple sources and

multiple formats are you facing any

challenges in this and how are you

planning to address this or how did you

address this of course there are a lot

of challenges because as you said there

are different formats different sources

of

data but

where we're trying to unify it through a

data model a unified data model flexible

and can accommodate all of uh all of

these sources and types of data and we

actually accomplished that you know we

reached to a very good level that can

that accommodated all of the formats and

sources of data

[Applause]

you