Dubai launches city-scale digital twin platform
More than 280,000 infrastructure assets and 195,000 buildings now mapped in 3D
#Dubai #digitaltwins — Dubai Municipality has announced the Dubai Digital Twin Platform, a continuously updated virtual replica of the entire emirate. The official launch, marking phase three of the project, took place Thursday with an event attended by Dubai Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The platform brings together more than 1,500 geospatial data layers, with 3D renderings for 280,000 infrastructure assets and 195,000 buildings. The digital twin also supports over 100 two- and three-dimensional applications covering buildings, infrastructure, public facilities and master plans.
SO WHAT? — Dubai’s digital twin is far more than a static replica of Dubai. The new phase boasts a wide range of practical applications that leverage the platform’s architecture to perform tasks and simulations. The platform is being used for urban planning, infrastructure and asset management, rainfall simulation, and digital solutions that support decision-making and strengthen the city's readiness for future scenarios. The emirate is using the digital twin’s advanced capabilities to support its transformation into a smart and sustainable city.
KEY POINTS:
Dubai Municipality officially launched the Dubai Digital Twin Platform at an event on Thursday July 2nd attended by Dubai Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Minister of State for AI H.E. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama.
The Dubai Digital Twin Platform functions as a continuously updated virtual replica of Dubai. It integrates data on buildings, infrastructure, landmarks, residential units and master plans into a single environment for simulation, analysis and decision support.
Phase three of the project has produced 3D models of more than 195,000 buildings across the emirate, along with the digitisation of more than 280,000 infrastructure assets and more than 330,000 public facilities.
The platform now incorporates more than 1,500 geospatial data layers and over 100 two- and three-dimensional applications, spanning multiple sectors including urban planning, infrastructure management and public services.
Practical applications reviewed at the event included urban planning simulations, infrastructure and asset management, rainfall modelling and scenario planning for future city conditions.
Dubai Municipality announced that it has signed MoUs with UAE conglomerate Al-Futtaim Group and technology company Huawei to expand the Digital Twin ecosystem. The next phase will focus on research, future foresight and broader sector integration.
The Dubai Digital Twin Platform aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which targets doubling the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade, and supports the emirate’s role as a benchmark for smart city development.
The platform is the result of integration across government entities and strategic partners, with the next phase focused on expanding data use across vital sectors.
ZOOM OUT — The Dubai Digital Twin Platform platform launch is the latest milestone in a project that's been running for some years. Dubai Municipality has been building out its digital twin infrastructure incrementally, layering AI, data analytics and IoT connectivity across city operations as capabilities have matured. At GITEX Global in October 2025, the Municipality unveiled Dubai Live, a real-time city operations platform consolidating infrastructure data, construction activity, planning updates and mobility systems across land, air and maritime transport into a single hub. Alongside that sits Dubai Here, a web and mobile application giving professionals access to 2D and 3D maps of every asset, building, service network and landmark in the emirate, updated with live IoT data. The Digital Twin platform announced this week brings 3D modelling of the built environment and geospatial data together at a scale together with additional smart city applications.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: Dubai Media Office, Dubai Municipality, various
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