Formalizing-modelling-utilizing ontology: A semantic framework for adaptive stakeholder-specific urban digital twins in urban planning processes

Shervin Azadi, Dena Kasraian, Pirouz Nourian and Pieter van Wesemael

Environment and Planning B, 2026, vol. 53, issue 4, 804-830

Abstract: Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) have emerged as integrated collections of urban data and urban models aspiring to enhance urban planning and decision-making processes. However, current UDTs often fail to connect siloed disciplines, represent diverse stakeholder views, or adapt to the dynamic nature of planning processes. Realizing UDTs potentials is hindered by these socio-technical challenges, we developed and validated FMU Ontology to address them. FMU Ontology provides a set of semantic representations that (1) promote interoperability and integration across disciplinary data and models, (2) enable developing and using a network of stakeholder-specific UDTs that facilitate engagement and consensus-building, and (3) embed these within planning processes to allow UDTs to adapt as stakeholders’ questions and priorities evolve. Furthermore, we validate the efficacy of FMU Ontology through consistency and competency tests. Lastly, in a case study on strategic urban densification in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, we demonstrate how FMU Ontology enables the adaptive and collaborative use of UDTs, addressing key challenges in urban planning and decision-making.

Keywords: Built environment; participatory planning; knowledge graph; urban digital twin; urban decision-making (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:804-830

DOI: 10.1177/23998083251329398

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