URBAN DIGITAL TWINS AND EMISSIONS CONTROL IN MADRID: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT FOR DECISION-MAKING IN BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORT

This study explores data science–based solutions to address climate change and promote healthier and more sustainable cities. In this context, digitalization and the development of Urban Digital Twins (UDTws) are considered tools with the potential to contribute to CO₂ emissions control(1,2,3, 4,5).

The case of the city of Madrid is examined, where greenhouse gas emissions are structurally concentrated in building energy consumption and road transport (6,7,8) —sectors characterized by strong infrastructural inertia and long asset life cycles. Digital Twins have shown to be the most effective way for Facility Management and Data-backed decision-making [ref]. In this case, UDTws are emerging as digital infrastructures capable of integrating real-time data, simulation, and predictive analytics to optimize these systems. However, technological optimization does not automatically translate into effective emissions control.

This paper critically assesses whether Madrid should implement an Urban Digital Twin as a decision-support system to control CO₂ emissions in the building and transport sectors, in alignment with the principles of Industry 5.0. Based on a review of recent scientific literature and comparative international case studies, the study proposes a multi-layer digital twin architecture and evaluates its technological capabilities, economic feasibility, institutional requirements, and systemic risks. The findings indicate that emissions control ultimately depends on governance maturity, regulatory compatibility, and the implementation of effective public policy instruments.

This research is part of the project “Data Science and Urban Digital Twins for Emissions Control in Transport and Buildings,” developed within the MOMENTUM Programme of the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration and integrated into the CSIC Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform PTI Mobility 2030. The research has been further enriched through the development of the Executive Master in Digital Twins, co-funded by the European Union and jointly organized by leading European civil engineering universities (UPM, ENPC and BME).