Digital twins can future-proof South-east Asia’s urban development

FROM the bustling roads of Bangkok and the soaring skyscrapers of Singapore, to the sprawl of Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi, South-east Asia’s metropolises are at the forefront of economic growth and future sustainable development.

Across the region, these dynamic cities are undergoing rapid urbanisation, attracting a constant influx of newcomers, offering economic, social, and cultural opportunities. Indeed, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) sees urbanisation as a defining megatrend of the 21st century.

South-east Asia has been forecast to emerge as a powerhouse driving global economic growth, with anticipated growth rates of close to 5 per cent, snapping back from pandemic-led disruptions. Nevertheless, the region’s long-term prosperity faces a critical challenge in the form of an infrastructure gap, owing to population growth.