Six cities that share how they build their digital twins
Hamburg, Helsinki, Prague, Rotterdam, Vienna and Singapore meet every year to compare notes on 3D city models. This year they met in Helsinki.
Most cities building a digital twin face the same questions: which data standard, which software, how to keep the model current and what to use it for. Six of them have decided to answer those questions together. The 5CC+ network brings together Hamburg, Helsinki, Prague, Rotterdam, Vienna and Singapore.
A week in Helsinki
The group meets once a year in one of the member cities. In May 2026 it was Helsinki's turn, with a week of discussions, excursions and sauna, and a city-modelling seminar showcasing the latest technology and uses, AEC Business reports. The cities presented in PechaKucha format: 20 slides, 20 seconds each.
Why it works
The members use open data standards and similar technology, and work with the same kinds of suppliers, so lessons travel. Helsinki itself maintains two city models, one in the CityGML standard and one as a 3D mesh, and uses them for tasks such as estimating solar and geothermal energy potential.
For smaller cities the lesson is that a twin need not be built alone. Agreeing on open standards early makes it possible to share tools, and mistakes, with others doing the same work.
Research desk, Online
Stories by the IQGov research desk are written from public documents, official data and on-record statements, which are listed and linked at the end of each piece.
