The research project SCiNDTiLA (Smart Cities and Digital Twins in Lower Austria) has been successfully completed after 30 months of interdisciplinary collaboration between the University for Continuing Education Krems and the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Funded by GFF Lower Austria, the project explored how smart city concepts and digital twin technologies can be adapted to the needs of smaller municipalities, regions, and rural communities in Lower Austria.
Through an extensive research programme combining literature reviews, international expert consultation, stakeholder engagement, and practical prototyping, the project developed a transferable governance framework and three digital twin demonstrators addressing real-world challenges in Traismauer, Zwettl, and Baden. These proof-of-concept applications support participatory planning, mobility management, and demographic scenario analysis for local decision-makers.
Beyond the technical developments, SCiNDTiLA produced a policy roadmap and sustainability strategy to support the long-term adoption of digital twins in public administration. The project's findings contribute to international research on smart governance and digital transformation while providing practical guidance for municipalities seeking to implement innovative, evidence-based approaches to planning and policy-making.
The project's outcomes have already been disseminated through numerous international conferences, scientific publications, and stakeholder workshops, laying the foundation for future research on digital twins for smart regions and sustainable local governance.
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