Cottbus becomes smart: 3D measurement vehicles create digital twin space!

Cottbus becomes smart: 3D measurement vehicles create digital twin space!

In Cottbus, fresh wind is brought into urban development. Special measuring vehicles have been on the road since July 3, 2025 to create a comprehensive digital model of the city. Equipped with state-of-the-art 3D cameras, the entire public traffic area is recorded-this includes streets, paths, traffic lights, traffic lights, street signs, street furniture and even plants. The aim of this initiative is to create a “digital twin” from Cottbus, which is intended to make the administrative work easier and accelerate. The Berlin radio reports on this innovative measure, which could transform complicated administrative processes in urban planning and thus laid the foundation for modern urban development.

But what exactly is behind the "digital twin"? According to information from the website “Smart City Dialog”, it is a visual and material representation of cities or districts. These virtual models not only offer an overview of current conditions, but also through past and future developments. Digital twins can also be used to create simulations, make forecasts and carry out analyzes. A good hanger for the city of Cottbus to meet the upcoming challenges in urban planning.

an innovative approach with a variety of applications

The data collected during the four -week caravan is not only intended for the internal use of the administration. They also offer the basis for various applications within urban development. The database obtained will help plan future projects better and to optimize decision -making in urban planning. The anonymization of the collected data in order to make personal and vehicle license plates also ensures data protection of the citizens.

The project has a price of around 160,000 euros, with the city of Cottbus bearing 10 percent of the costs. The rest is financed from the funded “Smart City” program. It is exciting that a similar project for measuring the road network is also due in Berlin. This underlines the relevance and interest in creating digital twins in German cities.

The role of the digital twin in urban planning

The initiative in Cottbus is not alone. Within the Federal Republic, many cities are already relying on digital twins as a guarantee of success in urban planning. As the “Where-Ext” page notes, digital twins offer a clear basis for an “Urban Data Platform” that is essential for the implementation of smart city goals. They not only help to analyze existing urban infrastructures, but also promote communication between planners and citizens.

With systems such as ArcGIS, planners can use three -dimensional modeling to better visualize and calculate the effects of construction projects. This not only enables better planning, but also a higher citizen participation through interactive 3D visualizations. This progress in urban planning shows that the future is already at the door, and the innovators in Cottbus contribute their part to this promising development.

In the municipality of Kirchheim near Munich, for example, a digital twin is used to support land use planning and building permits. Mönchengladbach also tests a similar concept to develop concrete use cases in the city administration. This makes it clear that digitization does not stop at urban development.

The project in Cottbus opens up new perspectives and opportunities to make the urban space more efficient and sustainable. The digital twin could not only be a tool for the administration, but also an important building block to increase the quality of life for all residents.