Digital twins: The core components of digitalization

Abstract

This editorial abstract outlines the topic indicated by “Digital twins: The core components of digitalization” in the context of digital twins and three-dimensional geospatial environments. It focuses on 3D data, digital representations, and their use in planning and visualisation, with attention to the practical relationship between technology, information, and decision-making. Because the source record provides a title rather than the original abstract, this text should be treated as a title-based summary draft and not as a verified account of the article’s detailed methods or findings. The subject is relevant to organisations that need to collect, manage, interpret, or communicate information about places and systems. Digital representations can help stakeholders understand complex places, compare scenarios, and communicate proposed changes. Their usefulness depends on the quality and currency of underlying data, clear modelling objectives, and integration into decision-making processes. A useful approach begins by defining the decision to be supported, identifying the information required, and assessing whether the available data are sufficiently accurate, current, and comparable. Tools should be selected in relation to the task rather than treated as an end in themselves. Implementation also depends on people and processes. Users need understandable outputs, appropriate training, clear responsibilities, and workable arrangements for maintaining information over time. Where data move between teams or platforms, common standards and interoperability can reduce duplication and help preserve consistency. Security, privacy, transparency, and the limits of automated or model-based outputs should be considered whenever they apply to the use case. Viewed broadly, the article’s stated theme connects digital twins and three-dimensional geospatial environments with the wider development of digital practice. Potential value lies in supporting better-informed choices, improving communication between stakeholders, and making complex information easier to use. The exact case studies, evidence, recommendations, and conclusions cannot be confirmed from the bibliographic title alone and should be checked against the published full text before this abstract is presented as an official journal abstract.