Hello from MISTO! It’s time for a new Resilient City Digest! This edition dives into the next era of smart cities: digital twins and how they’re transforming urban planning from an art into a science.

In this edition: how digital twins are evolving from static models into dynamic ecosystems, the latest case studies from Singapore and Helsinki, and key insights from our visit to Smart City Expo Miami. Join us!

Smart City Innovations

Test before you build: how digital twins save cities from bad decisions

Is it possible to predict the consequences of a project with 100% accuracy before construction begins? A few years ago, the answer would have been clear – no. Today, however, almost every decision can be tested virtually using digital twin technology.

According to McKinsey Digital:

Digital-twin technologies can drive a revenue increase of up to 10 percent, accelerate time to market by as much as 50 percent, and improve product quality by up to 25 percent.

Although the concept of digital twins has existed for decades, the focus is now shifting from static 3D models to “living,” dynamic systems powered by generative AI.

These systems integrate sensors and open data, allowing cities to simulate development scenarios in real time.Municipalities can now test decisions, evaluate their impact on transportation, energy, environment, and social infrastructure, and make choices based on proven data rather than intuition.

Digital twins with elements of artificial intelligence are no longer an experiment – they are the foundation of a resilient city. Modern City-as-a-Service platforms, such as MISTO, already make it possible to integrate heterogeneous data flows into a single analytical system, opening the way to the creation of virtual prototypes of cities.

Digital Twin Summit: from vision to reality

On November 11–12, 2025, the third annual Digital Twin Summit will bring together digital leaders, visionaries, and innovators in smart cities, urban planning, and the built environment.

This international event gathers experts from around the world to exchange insights and best practices in implementing digital twin technologies.

The program will cover a wide range of topics, including:

• practical use cases across urban development, industry, and energy.
  
• the creation and standardization of digital twins;
  
• data integration and real-time modeling;
  
• practical use cases across urban development, industry, and energy.

Stay tuned for updates and the full program on the official website NOTTINGHAM, UK | SMART CITIES.

Research spotlight

Digital Twin of Singapore: How Technology Optimizes Megacity Life

For years, Singapore has been systematically developing its national Virtual Singapore program – a comprehensive 3D model enriched with real-time data that supports urban planning and decision-making processes.

The platform enables infrastructure optimization through simulations of microclimate conditions (the Climate Twin), placement of solar panels with energy-generation modeling, and other use cases.
The results are remarkable: thanks to digital twin technology, Nanyang Technological University has achieved a 31% reduction in energy consumption and cut carbon emissions by 9.6 kilotons. 

In the second half of 2025, Singapore plans to launch a digital twin of its port — one of the largest in the world. The system will integrate data from over 1,000 sensors, enabling real-time optimization of logistics processes that, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, are expected to boost operational efficiency by 20%.

Helsinki Is Building a High-Precision Digital Twin of the City

Helsinki’s journey in urban modeling spans more than 30 years – from the first 3D models to a high-precision digital replica of the city enriched with real-time data integration.

The city actively engages residents in planning through platforms such as Urban Environment and Traffic | City of Helsinki and Forum Virium Helsinki. These tools allow citizens to interact directly with the virtual model of the city and participate in shaping urban-development decisions.

Earlier this year, Helsinki unveiled its latest digital twin of the Kalasatama district, showcasing the cutting-edge capabilities of high-fidelity city modeling technology. The project combines detailed 3D visualization with real-time datasets, enabling scenario-based simulations of district development and fostering even greater public participation in the decision-making process.

MISTO at Smart City Expo Miami: Ukrainian ResilienceTech Experience for a Global Audience 

The MISTO team participated in Smart City Expo Miami on October 6–8, joining over 350 attendees under the theme “Rethinking Urban Spaces.”

Anatolii Vovniuk, CEO of MISTO, shared insights on how an ordinary municipal app for public utilities became a lifeline during wartime. His key message strongly resonated with the audience: “Don’t wait for a crisis to build systems that truly serve people.”

MISTO continues to expand partnerships with international cities and organizations, positioning Ukraine’s experience in urban resilience as a valuable resource for the global smart city community. You can read more about the event here.

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