Revolutionising Planning: How Digital Twins are shaping the future of our cities

‘Plantech’ promises to revolutionise the Planning industry through AI, automation and technology platforms such as Digital Twins, but it can be challenging to determine what initiatives will be of most value.  

What we do know, is that access to reliable data is critical to how we manage investment in infrastructure and make planning decisions. Digital Twins offer 3D visualisation tools, inbuilt analytics, scenario modelling and can automate processes, but at their core enable planners to share data and collaborate in one place.

There is no doubt opportunity for the Planning industry in Australia is significant.  The stories below showcase how Digital Twin projects around the country are being used by the industry to address housing challenges:

Facilitating faster planning to respond to the housing crisis

NSW’s multi-award-winning LandIQ platform has emerged as a game-changer in its response to the housing crisis. LandIQ provides Government a single platform that leverages data, automation, and scenario modelling to navigate planning intricacies and to analyse land use potential.

For example, urban planners can use the platform to assess factors such as land suitability, zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and infrastructure availability. This streamlines the process of identifying suitable land for developments, accelerates project timeframes and creates a central point for stakeholder engagement.

It has also been used in the Government’s emergency recovery efforts in the recent Northern Rivers flooding. The tool was used to identify suitable sites for temporary accommodation to relocate flood victims and allowed Government to rapidly activate the land required.

A collaborative approach to improving processes

Developed by the Victorian Government in partnership with Industry, eComply cuts red-tape by streamlining building regulatory compliance through its Digital Twin. Builders and developers are able to upload their proposed designs via the eComply platform to pre-check against building codes and planning regulations. The tool provides feedback on more than 90 complex checks in around 90 seconds cutting up to four weeks off the approval process.

It also raises the overall standard of building practices, contributing to safer and more resilient housing solutions in Victoria.