Digital twin-supported smart city: Status, challenges and future research directions

A city can be considered a carrier of multiple sources of data and information that are updated in real time and experiences continuous operation and development. Therefore, a system that can obtain and manage data/information gathered from different physical objects in a city in real time is needed. Digital twin (DT) technology is a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle; it is updated from real-time data and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help with decision-making. However, how to apply these features of the DT to better manage smart cities (SCs) has not yet been systematically summarized and analysed. In this study, 202 papers on DT-supported SCs are reviewed, based on which the drivers and challenges of applying DT-supported SCs and the solutions for the challenges were identified. In addition, this study explored the possible outcomes of applying DT-supported technologies in SCs. This study also contributes to the DT-supported SCs for city management research and practice.