3D City ModelDigital TwinUrban Simulation
Helsinki: Automating Urban 3D Data for Living Digital Twins
Helsinki has transformed its 3D city model into a fully automated, always up-to-date system. By shifting from manual updates to nightly incremental processing, the city ensures planners, architects, and digital twins always rely on the most current and precise 3D data.
Helsinki has pioneered an automated workflow that keeps its 3D city model aligned with reality. Using FME and the VC Publisher API, changes in 2D footprints trigger nightly updates in the 3DCityDB, refreshing attributes, geometry, and 3D application layers. This turns maintenance into a seamless, near real-time process and ensures digital twins remain accurate for planning and collaboration.
The workflow improves efficiency through geometry reuse, robust version control, and scalability for thousands of monthly changes. Looking ahead, Helsinki is preparing to integrate IFC building models and extend automation to other assets like trees and traffic areas—laying the foundation for a living ecosystem of digital twins.
