The DigitalCities4Us research project at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) explores how cities can become more accessible for people with mobility impairments. In collaboration with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, the researchers collected high-resolution 3D data to develop scalable solutions for accessible urban planning. The digital representation of infrastructure serves as the foundation for customised, target group-specific spatial analyses and for evaluating planned structural changes. The Swiss canton of Basel-Stadt intends to integrate these research findings into future construction projects.

Digital twins are rapidly evolving into a key instrument for data-driven decision-making in both public administration and the private sector. Esri Germany will highlight current trends and potentials of this technology at INTERGEO – from the integration of heterogeneous data sources and AI-powered analytics to immersive visualization in 3D and XR environments. We will demonstrate how digital twins not only represent urban spaces, but also serve as dynamic decision-making platforms – enabling resilient infrastructures, sustainable urban development, and efficient administrative processes. Using concrete application examples from public administration and the private sector, we will provide insights into the current state of the art, implementation challenges, and strategic perspectives for the future.