Technological advancements and the vision of a meta smart twin city

Abstract

Recent digital advancements have led the construction industry to reassess its core principles. Critical issues such as construction site impacts, aesthetics, methodologies, and sustainability are under rigorous scrutiny. The challenges hindering the digital transformation of construction remain unclear. Addressing the technical questions of when, where, why, and how the industry is evolving is crucial, especially as digital operations become more prevalent compared to traditional methods. The “digital twin” concept has emerged as a key approach in shaping the industry's future. Integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) with the Internet of Things (IoT) has enhanced project engagement, though challenges persist. Traditionally, a digital twin represents the construction process and its interactions. But it misses the transactional and experiential aspects that integrate users into the process. Technologies like blockchain and the metaverse, combined with the digital twin, offer insights into the future of construction projects. Municipalities that adopt digital twins and metaverse representations of their commercial activities throughout construction phases are likely to set future standards for societal specifications. As some specifications such as architectural designs should be grounded in the diverse aspirations and experiences sought by citizens. This paper aims to explore the ways digital twins, smart urban environments, blockchain technology, and other reality capture datasets contribute to the vision of digital and physical construction domains. It examines the interaction and convergence of new spatial constructs, highlight the critical role of data acquisition technologies, and present a comprehensive framework for user experience and the future of Meta Smart Twin Cities.