Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is taking a giant step towards the future in line with its smart city vision: the “Digital Twin of Izmir” project. Thanks to this innovative project that will transfer all structural, environmental and social dynamics of the city to a digital platform, Izmir will have a smarter, more resilient and more sustainable city management infrastructure. This comprehensive system will provide city managers with a unique tool for data-based and instant decision-making processes, while making Izmir Metropolitan Municipality the pioneer of a model that will set an example in Türkiye.
All Dynamics of Izmir Come Together in Digital Environment
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is reaching an important milestone in the city’s digital transformation journey. The “Digital Twin of Izmir” project, developed under the leadership of Izmir Innovation and Technology Inc. (IzTech), one of the affiliate companies of the Metropolitan Municipality, is reshaping the complex and multi-layered structure of the city with the possibilities of the digital world. The project aims to transfer a wide range of data specific to Izmir, from transportation networks to infrastructure systems, from green areas to disaster risk zones, from climate data to urban transformation areas, to the digital environment in the form of three-dimensional models and various layers.
In this massive digitalization process, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructures will play a critical role. The system is designed to work with special scenarios, taking into account Izmir's unique characteristics and needs. In this way, it is aimed to produce more rational and effective solutions to the problems faced by the city administration.
Data-Based Instant Decision Making Mechanism
Once completed, the “Digital Twin of Izmir” infrastructure will provide Izmir administrators with a unique tool for data-based and instant decision-making processes. Thanks to the project, many critical applications such as live monitoring of traffic density and route optimization, detailed simulation of possible disaster scenarios and comprehensive analyses of the effects of climate change on the city will be easily carried out through this integrated system.
Thanks to this state-of-the-art infrastructure, the city administration will be able to monitor the current situation of the city live at all times, be prepared for potential crisis and disaster scenarios in advance, and carry out long-term strategic planning in a much more accurate and realistic way. This offers a significant advantage that will allow Izmir to look to the future with more confidence.
Pamuk: We Are Preparing Izmir for a Data-Driven Future
İzmir Innovation and Technology Inc. General Manager Andaç Pamuk expressed the vision and importance of the project with the following words: “With İzmir’s Digital Twin project, we are preparing our city for a data-based future. This system is far beyond being just a visual city map. It will be a strong technology infrastructure that will directly guide decision-making processes, enable us to take preventive measures by analyzing potential risks in advance, and place sustainability principles at the center of all city management processes. İzmir’s progress in this field with its own resources is a pioneering step that will inspire other cities in Türkiye.”
A Participatory, Transparent and Sustainable Production Model
The “Digital Twin of Izmir” project is not only building a high-tech infrastructure; it is also being implemented with a participatory and open production model. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will develop this innovative system using free software and open data technologies. This approach will create a collaborative environment where all stakeholders, from municipality affiliates to academic institutions, from civil society organizations to private sector representatives and independent experts, can transfer their knowledge and experience to the project.
Thanks to this broad participation structure, both municipality employees and stakeholders with different areas of expertise in the city will be able to actively participate in the project development processes through open platforms. This democratic and transparent approach will enable the project to develop not only technically but also as a sustainable public infrastructure. All outputs of this important work carried out with public resources will be shared with the society as public goods, thus contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and technology.
Data Security and Ethical Management Priority
During the implementation of the project, data security and ethical management principles will be observed at the highest level. All data collected and processed will be meticulously protected within the scope of the Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK). The developed system will be managed with a transparent management approach that prioritizes the public interest. With the completion of the project, high standards will be set in Izmir regarding data security and ethical management, which will increase the reliability and social acceptance of the project.
Strong Contribution to Izmir's 2030 Vision
The “Digital Twin of Izmir” project will make a significant contribution to Izmir’s 2030 vision, providing strong support for the city to become a more livable, resilient and sustainable city. With this groundbreaking project, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will create an exemplary model in the field of digital urbanization in Türkiye and will take on a pioneering role in this field. The success of the project will also be a source of inspiration for other cities and will provide significant momentum for Türkiye’s smart city transformation.
