Urban 3D Modeling as a Precursor of City Information Modeling and Digital Twin for Smart City Era: A Case Study of the Narmak Neighborhood of Tehran City, Iran

Abstract

The city phenomenon is dynamic, complex, and has an abundance of data. City Information Modeling (CIM) and Digital Twins (DTs) are new data-driven approaches toward monitoring, controlling, and managing cities. The main purpose of this research is to introduce and raise the concept of CIM and DTs as a necessity in the smart city era for urban planning, design, and management and to implement a practical way to achieve these concepts in the Narmak neighborhood of Tehran City (Iran) as our case study. The primary tool is CityEngine software. A method was discovered to simulate cities where the existence and access to data are severely constrained. First, a Geographic Information System (GIS) database was assembled, then it was analyzed, and the relationships between urban data were determined. Then, programming in CityEngine generated a smart three-dimensional (3D) model with all the city’s information. Finally, CIM and DTs led to the production of an integrated 3D database that is smart and interactive.