Dubai has launched its Digital Twin Platform to enhance smart city planning, AI-powered decision-making, infrastructure management, and urban development.
Dubai has launched its Digital Twin Platform, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s digital transformation strategy and its ambition to become one of the world’s most advanced smart cities.
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The platform was unveiled in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, during the “Partners in Building the Digital Twin” workshop organised by Dubai Municipality.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, also attended the launch.
The Digital Twin Platform creates a comprehensive virtual replica of Dubai by integrating real-time spatial and operational data covering buildings, infrastructure, public facilities, landmarks, residential units, and master plans. The platform is designed to support smarter urban planning, infrastructure management, future scenario modelling, and faster data-driven decision-making.
Sheikh Hamdan stated that the initiative aligns with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to harness advanced technologies and data in creating a smarter, more sustainable, and future-ready city.
“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,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
He added that Dubai will continue building an integrated digital ecosystem based on data integration, artificial intelligence, and strong public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation and reinforce the emirate’s leadership in smart cities and digital transformation.
During the event, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the platform’s latest capabilities, including applications in urban planning, infrastructure and asset management, rainfall simulation, and predictive analytics that strengthen Dubai’s preparedness for future scenarios.
Dubai Municipality also announced the successful completion of the project’s third phase, during which more than 195,000 buildings across the emirate were converted into detailed 3D digital models to improve urban modelling and planning capabilities.
The municipality has also digitised more than 280,000 infrastructure assets and 330,000 public facilities, while integrating over 1,500 geospatial data layers and more than 100 two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications supporting multiple government sectors.
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As part of the next phase of the initiative, Dubai Municipality signed Memoranda of Understanding with Al-Futtaim Group and Huawei to expand the Digital Twin ecosystem.
The partnerships will focus on advancing Digital Twin technologies, research, and future foresight while expanding practical applications across urban planning, infrastructure operations, asset management, and data-driven public services.
Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, described the project as a strategic milestone in Dubai’s smart city journey.
“The completion of the Digital Twin project represents a strategic milestone in Dubai’s journey towards building a smarter and more sustainable city,” he said. “It embodies the leadership’s vision of leveraging advanced technologies and data to improve government services, strengthen infrastructure management, and enhance quality of life.”
Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the platform provides a unified digital environment that enables authorities to simulate future scenarios, analyse urban data, and make more informed decisions.
She added that the next phase will focus on expanding integration with public and private sector partners while maximising the use of data to support critical sectors across the emirate.
The Digital Twin Platform supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by strengthening digital infrastructure, improving government efficiency, and positioning Dubai as a global leader in innovation, urban technology, and sustainable city development.
Why the Dubai Digital Twin Platform Matters to MENA
Dubai’s Digital Twin Platform demonstrates how governments across the Middle East are increasingly using AI, geospatial data, and digital twins to transform urban planning and public services.
As cities continue to grow, virtual city models can improve infrastructure management, disaster preparedness, traffic planning, and sustainability while enabling faster, data-driven policy decisions.
For MENA, the initiative reinforces the UAE’s leadership in smart city innovation and provides a blueprint for other countries pursuing national digital transformation strategies.
The platform also creates new opportunities for AI, cloud computing, geospatial technology, IoT, and digital infrastructure providers as governments invest in building more resilient, efficient, and future-ready cities.
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