Digital Twin Bologna (GDB – Gemello Digitale Bologna) is a project promoted by the Municipality of Bologna to harness the public value of data and foster innovative decision-making. This project creates a dynamic digital model of the city’s urban environment, integrating real-time data from stakeholders and citizens. It represents a new civic infrastructure aimed at improving quality of life and tackling critical contemporary challenges, such as climate change and evolving economic and social trends.

Part of the Bologna City of Knowledge strategy, which emphasises science, innovation, and knowledge as key drivers for urban growth, the Digital Twin will enhance decision-making through advanced analysis and forecasting. It will also support research and policy development, promoting new models for democratic data governance and the ethical use of emerging technologies. The project is committed to complying with EU and national regulations on privacy and data protection, adopting ethical and legal standards aligned with the latest European legislation, and maximising its civic impact. The development of Bologna’s Digital Twin will initially focus on three key policy areas: mobility, energy, and urban planning—critical challenges faced by urban areas worldwide.