Researchers have developed DBAL-YOLO, a novel deep learning-based framework that automatically converts non-digital engineering drawings into 3D Building Information Models (BIM). Achieving 98.8% detection precision and complete geometric reconstruction without manual intervention, this technology resolves a challenging issue in creating digital twins for existing buildings.
Digital twin city systems serve as the foundation for intelligent urban management and resilience monitoring. These systems rely heavily on digital models of physical entities, particularly buildings. However, a significant challenge persists: many existing and older buildings lack digital 3D models, with their information stored only in scanned or archived paper drawings.
With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, and urban areas responsible for over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear we need to be smarter about urban planning and development.
The term ‘smart city’ seems ubiquitous when it comes to urban sustainability discourse and practice, but what does it actually mean?
To find out, The Future Of podcast team spoke with Dr Courtney Babb, a senior lecturer in the School of Design and the Built Environment. They explore what makes a city ‘smart’ as well as the possibilities and potential risks of using ‘intelligence’ to improve the quality of life for urban citizens.
Read a snippet below or listen the full episode.
For residents of European cities – with their snarled traffic, draughty old buildings, creaking public services and grey winters – it’s easy to see the appeal of moving to a brand-new, high-tech metropolis.
Enter Dunia Cyber City, a new special economic zone in Zanzibar aimed at attracting tech workers (real and virtual) and companies with its low taxes. Backed by former Apple executive Florian Fournier and the Zanzibar government, the proposed development is inspired by so-called network states – autonomous, digitally crowdfunded micronations or city states – and is meant to bring together like-minded individuals to focus on technological experimentation and cryptocurrency.
Weiterlesen: Why futuristic, tech-centred ‘smart city’ projects are destined to fail
At a glance
- Who: Berg Insight.
- What: The IoT market research provider has published its latest Smart Cities: Connected Public Spaces report, which shows how smart cities are prioritising ROI and operational savings and service when it comes to implementing digital solutions.
- Why: To provide insight and intelligence across the smart city sector, focusing on areas such as smart street lighting, smart parking, smart waste collection, urban air quality monitoring and smart city surveillance.
- When: The report includes data from 2024 usage and implementations and includes five-year industry forecasts and expert commentary.
Latest research from Berg Insight finds cities want digital solutions that deliver tangible outcomes, marking a shift away from tech-led experimentation.
Weiterlesen: Smart cities prioritise ROI and operational savings
I was visiting a highly advanced urban community last year when something small but remarkable happened.
Walking through a modern public housing neighborhood, I noticed the street lights adjusting their brightness as people walked past. Not simple motion-sensor lights like we see in many places. These were part of a connected network that tracked foot traffic patterns, adjusted lighting for energy efficiency, and fed data into a centralized system monitoring the entire neighborhood.
The resident I was walking with barely noticed. “Oh yeah, they’ve been doing that for a while,” she said casually.
Weiterlesen: What A Leading Smart City Blueprint Can Teach Urban Communities Everywhere