Ottimizzazione delle Città Intelligenti: L'Utilizzo dei Gemelli Digitali e dell'Intelligenza Artificiale nei Processi Decisionali Urbani

The article explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in “Digital Twin” models to facilitate urban decision-making processes. The authors examine the potential of digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical systems, to optimise the planning and management of smart cities. AI, when integrated into digital twins, allows managing complex functions such as traffic, energy consumption and social behaviours to be simulated and monitored in real-time, so establishing a basis for more informed and timely decisions. The digital twin concept was originally applied to industrial manufacturing and has expanded to urban design. An effective digital twin must accurately represent physical reality and related processes, incorporating up-to-date data and using advanced AI models for predictions and simulations. This approach allows for more efficient and resilient urban management, improving responsiveness to unexpected events and facilitating long-term strategic planning. The Snap4City platform is presented as an example of implementing digital twins for smart cities. It integrates data from different sources, supports real-time analysis and visualisation, and enables AI-based operational and strategic management. Snap4City demonstrates significant benefits for public administrations, improving the efficiency of urban services and promoting sustainability and the well-being of citizens.