Dubai unveils Digital Twin Platform with 195,000 buildings mapped in 3D
Advanced platform integrates thousands of geospatial data layers
DUBAI – Dubai has taken another major step in its digital transformation journey with the launch of the Dubai Digital Twin Platform, an ambitious initiative designed to create a comprehensive virtual replica of the emirate.
The platform is expected to strengthen urban planning, infrastructure management and government decision-making by integrating advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and real-time data into a single digital ecosystem. The project also aligns with Dubai's long-term ambitions to become one of the world's smartest and most sustainable cities.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, witnessed the launch during the 'Partners in Building the Digital Twin' workshop organised by Dubai Municipality. The event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, along with senior government officials and strategic partners.
Among those present was Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
Dubai Digital Twin Platform
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said the Dubai Digital Twin Platform reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to harness advanced technology and data in building a smarter, more sustainable city prepared for future challenges.
He said the project represents a strategic milestone in Dubai's digital transformation and strengthens the emirate's position as a global benchmark for innovation and future foresight. The initiative also supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to boost economic growth and reinforce Dubai's international competitiveness.
"The Dubai Digital Twin Project reflects His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's vision of leveraging advanced technology and data to build a city that is better prepared for the future, while enhancing planning efficiency, informed decision-making, and quality of life," His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said.
He added that the project will contribute to Dubai's ambition of becoming the world's best city to live, work and invest in by strengthening innovation and digital transformation across government sectors.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan also highlighted Dubai's continued investment in an integrated digital ecosystem built on data integration, artificial intelligence and strong public-private partnerships. According to him, these foundations will accelerate the development of innovative solutions, enhance preparedness for future changes, reinforce global leadership in smart city development and support a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
Project progress
During the workshop, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the objectives of the project's next phase as well as several practical applications already being implemented across Dubai.
The platform is designed to support urban planning, infrastructure management, asset management, rainfall simulation and digital tools that enable faster, more informed government decision-making. By providing accurate virtual simulations of future scenarios, authorities will be able to improve planning efficiency while enhancing the city's resilience and readiness.
The latest phase of the project has already produced detailed three-dimensional models of more than 195,000 buildings across the emirate using advanced digital standards. These models significantly strengthen Dubai's urban modelling capabilities and provide planners with a highly detailed representation of the city's built environment.
Dubai Municipality also announced major progress in expanding the platform's digital assets. More than 280,000 infrastructure assets have now been converted into 3D models, alongside over 330,000 public facilities and assets. The platform currently incorporates more than 1,500 geospatial data layers, creating one of the region's most comprehensive digital mapping ecosystems.
In addition, the Digital Twin Platform now supports more than 100 two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications serving a wide range of sectors, providing government entities with new tools to analyse data, test scenarios and improve operational efficiency.
Strategic partnerships
The launch also marked the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between Dubai Municipality and Al-Futtaim Group and Huawei to support the next phase of the Digital Twin ecosystem.
The agreements are intended to deepen cooperation in Digital Twin technologies, research, innovation and future foresight. They will also support Dubai Municipality's efforts to broaden practical applications of the platform across urban planning, infrastructure development, operations, asset management and data-driven decision-making.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said the project demonstrates Dubai's collaborative approach to innovation by bringing together government entities and private sector partners to develop advanced digital solutions that improve public services and quality of life.
He noted that cooperation across sectors remains essential for delivering efficient government services while strengthening Dubai's position as a global model for cities of the future.
Digital ecosystem
Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, described the completion of the Digital Twin project as a significant strategic achievement in Dubai's journey towards becoming a smarter and more sustainable city.
He said the platform reflects the leadership's vision of using advanced technologies and data to improve government services, increase the efficiency of infrastructure and asset management, and enhance residents' quality of life.
According to Bin Ghalita, the achievement was made possible through close collaboration between government entities and strategic partners working together to build an integrated digital ecosystem.
Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the Digital Twin provides a unified digital environment where spatial and operational data are brought together on a single platform.
She explained that this integrated approach enables authorities to simulate future scenarios, conduct advanced analysis and make more efficient decisions across multiple sectors.
Al Muhairi added that the next stage of the project will focus on expanding integration with strategic partners while increasing the use of data to support key sectors throughout the emirate.
The Dubai Digital Twin Platform functions as a highly accurate virtual representation of the city, bringing together comprehensive information covering buildings, infrastructure, facilities, landmarks, residential units and master plans. Continuous updates ensure the platform maintains high standards of accuracy, reliability and data integrity, enabling government entities to plan, monitor and manage Dubai's ongoing growth with greater precision.
The initiative further reinforces Dubai's commitment to anticipating future challenges through innovation and advanced technology while supporting smarter urban development, more efficient public services and stronger digital capabilities across the emirate.