Webinar (16 Oct): Building Rotterdam’s urban digital twin ecosystem – from data to scalable solutions – Smart Cities World

Report on the Convergence of Digital Technologies for Sustainable Urban Development

This report outlines the proceedings of a webinar focused on the integration of advanced digital technologies to enhance decision-making in urban environments, with a significant emphasis on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session explored how the synergy between the Internet of Things (IoT), edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital twins provides a robust framework for cities to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure.

Technological Synergy for Sustainable Urban Development

The discussion centered on a three-tiered technological approach that directly supports the advancement of several SDGs, most notably SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Internet of Things (IoT): IoT serves as the foundational layer for data acquisition across critical urban systems such as transport, energy, and public services. This continuous data stream is vital for monitoring and improving resource efficiency, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11.
• Edge AI: As IoT networks expand, the challenge of managing vast data volumes emerges. Edge AI addresses this by processing data locally, enabling faster analysis and reducing latency. This enhances the efficiency and responsiveness of urban infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9.
• Digital Twins: By integrating IoT data and edge AI insights, digital twins create dynamic virtual replicas of city systems. This technology empowers urban planners to simulate scenarios, optimize operations, and make proactive decisions, thereby strengthening urban resilience and planning capabilities in line with SDG 11 and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Learning Outcomes for SDG Implementation

The webinar provided actionable insights for city leaders and technology providers on leveraging these technologies to meet sustainability targets. Key outcomes included:

1. A comprehensive understanding of how IoT, edge AI, and digital twins form an interconnected ecosystem that reinforces innovative and sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9).
2. Insights from pioneering European cities, including Barcelona and Gothenburg, on overcoming data management challenges to build smarter, more sustainable communities (SDG 11).
3. An examination of how digital twins facilitate a shift from reactive to proactive urban planning, improving long-term decision-making for risk reduction and climate resilience (SDG 11, SDG 13).
4. Practical guidance on implementing scalable technology solutions that deliver tangible value to citizens and advance urban sustainability agendas.

Expert Panel and Collaborative Partnerships

The session featured a panel of experts from both the public and private sectors, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaborations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals) in driving technological adoption for sustainable development.

Featured Speakers:

• Youssef Nadiri, PNY Technologies: Focused on the application of advanced AI technologies at the edge to create smarter, safer, and more efficient urban spaces.
• Laura Olin, Younite AI: Provided expertise on leadership and organisational strategy for managing digital transformation initiatives effectively.
• Johan De Paoli, City of Gothenburg: Shared insights on developing digital concepts to position Gothenburg as a progressive and innovative city, contributing to its sustainability goals.
• Simon Emery, BusPas: Discussed business development and the deployment of technological solutions within the public transit sector, a critical component of sustainable mobility (SDG 11).
• Luke Antoniou, SmartCitiesWorld: Moderated the discussion, bringing a focus on sustainable mobility and the broader challenges facing urban governments in achieving their SDG targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the use of advanced digital technologies to improve urban environments, directly connecting to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The central theme of the article is making cities “smarter, safer, and more efficient” by providing “faster, more reliable and more sustainable services.” It focuses on improving urban operations in areas like transport, energy, and public services through technology, which is the core of SDG 11’s mission to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article is fundamentally about technological innovation and infrastructure. It describes how “IoT, edge AI, and digital twins forming the backbone of the next generation of smart city infrastructure.” This aligns with SDG 9’s goal to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The article mentions that connected devices gather data across “transport” and features a speaker from BusPas, a company involved with transit operators. This indicates a focus on using technology to improve and manage urban transportation systems.
2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for… integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. The article heavily emphasizes improved city planning. It states that digital twins “enable city leaders to simulate scenarios, optimise operations, and plan with confidence,” and can “shift city planning from reactive to proactive.” This directly relates to enhancing the capacity for sustainable urban planning.
3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The article describes the convergence of IoT, edge AI, and digital twins as the foundation for “smart city infrastructure.” The goal is to create more reliable and efficient systems for essential services, which is the essence of this target.
4. Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology. While not about individual citizen access, the article is entirely about the adoption and deployment of advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by cities. It discusses how cities can overcome data management challenges and scale these technologies, thereby increasing the application of advanced ICT in the public sector.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official UN indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• For Target 11.2: An implied indicator is the use of real-time data from IoT devices to monitor and manage public transport and traffic flow. The article mentions gathering “continuous streams of data across transport,” which is a direct measure of applying technology to improve transport systems.
• For Target 11.3: A key implied indicator is the adoption rate of digital twin technology by municipal governments for urban planning and operational management. The article highlights how these tools shift planning to be more proactive and highlights their use by cities like Barcelona and Gothenburg.
• For Target 9.1: Progress can be measured by the level of integration of IoT and edge AI technologies into core urban infrastructure systems (e.g., energy, transport, public services). The article presents this integration as the key to creating next-generation smart cities.
• For Target 9.c: An implied indicator is the scale of deployment of advanced AI technologies (Vision AI, Generative AI, Digital Twins) in city operations. The speaker from PNY Technologies is described as driving the “adoption of advanced AI technologies,” suggesting that this adoption is a key performance metric.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: smartcitiesworld.net