The new government agreement 2024-2028 offers ample opportunities to deploy digital twin technology for more efficient government and better collaboration between governments. Digital twins can help reduce dependence on external consultants by securing knowledge within the organization. They support the housing construction sector by enabling better coordination and faster construction procedures. Additionally, digital twins contribute to a safer society by providing real-time data and integrated information services. In this article, we discuss how this technology can help achieve the government agreement’s goals.
1. From outsourced knowledge to knowledge integration
The government agreement states that they will reverse the growth in the number of civil servants and the use of consultants in core departments. This is where digital twin technology comes in as a solution to secure knowledge within the organization and work more efficiently.
“The coalition parties want to change the role of the central government and thus the departments. The central government will focus more on providing leadership, while local governments must focus more on implementation in the region. Implementation services are therefore protected, but the intention is to drastically reduce the number of national civil servants and consultants.”
Digital twins can help local governments communicate and collaborate better from a shared picture of the physical environment. By real-time linking data from basic and core registries, they can determine, for example, where the best housing construction projects can start, how they can address unsafety in neighborhoods, and where they can improve infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. This leads to relevant insights and better decisions in both policy and execution.
2. Housing construction requires integrated coordination and acceleration
Tackling the housing crisis is one of the government agreement’s priorities. Digital twins can play an important role here by accelerating building procedures and improving coordination between all parties involved.
“A coordinating minister will be appointed to lead spatial planning policy and determine where and how many homes should be built, with special attention to focus groups such as young people, elderly people, smaller households, and homeless people.”
With digital twin technology, building permit officers and construction companies can collaborate more efficiently by gaining real-time insight into construction logistics and the accessibility of new residential areas. Forecast models and integrated use of data and information on one map help us choose the right locations and accelerate the building process. This contributes to realizing affordable and suitable housing for different target groups, while also considering broader prosperity and sustainable development.
3. Collaboration on data-driven safety
The government agreement emphasizes national security and combating organized crime. Digital twins and AI can play a major role here by sharing knowledge and providing integrated information services.
“The response to digital threats from state actors and cybercriminals is being strengthened. Intensive collaboration between government, security services, science, and business is being promoted, and maximum sentences for cybercrime are being increased.”
Digital twins can ensure that all parties involved have the same information picture, which is essential for a quick and coordinated response to security threats. Real-time data and integrated information can improve the effectiveness of security measures and strengthen collaboration between different government agencies. This is especially important in an era when cities are becoming busier and the need for integrated security measures is increasing, partly due to international geopolitical tensions and the need for heightened alertness.
Seize the opportunities of digital twin technology
The government agreement offers various opportunities to deploy digital twin technology to improve knowledge integration, housing construction, and safety in the Netherlands. By making effective use of digital twins, you as a government can work more efficiently, make better-informed decisions, and collaborate more closely to achieve common goals. Let’s seize these opportunities to create a better and more efficient society.
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