Participation matters: The social construction of digital twins for cities

Timea Nochta and Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong

Environment and Planning B, 2026, vol. 53, issue 4, 765-777

Abstract: In this commentary, we trace processes of ‘social construction’ in the design and implementation of digital twins for cities. We discuss how the layering of a Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) lens on top of already existing perspectives in smart cities and urban planning can help to develop a more nuanced account of participation, inclusion and exclusion. The aim being to facilitate critical reflection on the development trajectory of the UDT concept and highlight that much of what is often described as the natural, inevitable advancement of the technology in fact serves particular interests, with privileged access. We also emphasise that alternative interpretations exist, and should be sought out by technology developers, to facilitate progress in UDT design and implementation.

Keywords: Digital twins; participation; smart cities; urban analytics; social construction of technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envirb:v:53:y:2026:i:4:p:765-777

DOI: 10.1177/23998083241305695

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