At the Baltic Esri User Conference 2024, Abdelrahman Elkhatib from Tallinn’s Strategic Management Office offered an interesting glimpse into the city’s pioneering work with 3D digital twin models. Elkhatib’s engaging narrative spanned multiple groundbreaking projects that are pushing the boundaries of this transformative technology.
The presentation commenced with an overview of Tallinn’s initial 3D city model and web application, which Elkhatib described as “an open platform where everybody can find it.”
“The first idea was to have a platform where we can have a beautiful representation or visualization of the 3D data, as well as support urban planners and architects to have their platform to visualize their projects with a better sense of space,” said Elkhatib.
Elkhatib then spoke about the innovative GreenTwins project, a collaboration focused on enhancing digital representations of vegetation and green spaces. He emphasized two key goals: “We wanted to improve the quality of the digital information that we’re having about the green areas, as well as develop smart participatory urban planning platforms.”
A standout achievement was the creation of a “digital plant library” containing dynamic 3D tree models that could simulate growth over time.
“What makes this digital plant library unique is that it’s not only a 3D model of a tree but it’s a dynamic 3D model, it’s smart enough to change based on the data that you enter,” Elkhatib explained.
Looking to the future, Tallinn is exploring immersive VR simulations powered by game engines like Unreal. Elkhatib highlighted the value of such experiences: “You can have a more realistic feeling of different scenarios.”
He unveiled a sample showcasing how VR could facilitate public engagement for an upcoming urban project by allowing stakeholders to “explore proposed designs, provide feedback and actively shape the city’s development.”
Tallinn’s pioneering efforts demonstrate the vast potential of integrating cutting-edge 3D visualization, urban digital twins, and emerging technologies like VR/AR. Elkhatib’s showcase revealed a city embracing innovation to enhance urban planning, stakeholder collaboration, and creating more sustainable, citizen-centric communities. The 3D realm has become an indispensable part of Tallinn’s smart city journey.
