The digital twin Germany: Looking to the future with the digital image of Germany; [Der digitale zwilling deutschland: Mit dem digitalen abbild deutschlands den blick in die zukunft richten]

Abstract

This article discusses the digital twin of Germany and the idea of creating a comprehensive digital representation of the country to support future planning and analysis. A national digital twin can bring together geographic, environmental, infrastructure, and other spatial information in an integrated digital environment. Such a representation can help users understand current conditions and explore possible future developments through models and simulations. The article considers the role of digital geospatial information in creating an image of Germany that can be used across different applications and administrative levels. A digital twin can provide a common spatial framework for connecting datasets that are otherwise distributed among different organizations and systems. It can support visualization, scenario development, planning, and analysis by allowing users to examine relationships between different geographic elements. The development of such a system also requires reliable data, common standards, interoperability, appropriate update processes, and clear responsibilities. The article highlights the long-term potential of a national digital representation while recognizing the complexity involved in combining large and diverse datasets. The discussion presents the digital twin concept as a way to connect existing geoinformation with future-oriented digital planning and decision-making.