Cape Town is expanding its use of Digital Twin technology, helping improve public facility management, service delivery, maintenance planning and long-term infrastructure decisions.
The City of Cape Town has celebrated the success of its Digital Twin initiative alongside Finnish programme partners and technical experts, marking another milestone in the city’s journey towards becoming a data-driven and technology-enabled municipality.
The initiative forms part of the Finnish Digital and Green Transition (FDGT) programme, funded by Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, the Digital Twin project demonstrates Cape Town’s commitment to using technology to improve service delivery and strengthen long-term planning.
Digital Twin technology creates a live digital replica of a physical building, enabling facilities management teams to integrate maintenance records, building systems, space utilisation information and real-time operational data into a single platform.
The technology allows City officials to improve maintenance planning, identify faults more quickly, enhance energy efficiency, optimise the use of public assets and support evidence-based decision-making.
Dr Vincent Kuo of VXT Research, who was seconded by the Finnish government to support the initiative, said the project demonstrates how Digital Twin technology is moving beyond theory and becoming a practical tool that delivers measurable operational benefits.
The City selected the Bellville Civic Centre as the pilot site for the project because of its combination of public-facing and administrative functions. The first phase was completed in December 2025, while the second phase concluded successfully in May 2026.
The Corporate Services Directorate manages an extensive portfolio of municipal facilities, including City buildings, clinics, libraries, Early Childhood Development centres, fire stations, Metro Police offices, traffic centres, law enforcement offices and municipal courts.
Finnish representatives praised the collaboration, highlighting the strong alignment between Finnish and South African innovation goals and the value of international partnerships in advancing digital transformation.
Following the success of the pilot programme, Cape Town plans to expand its Digital Twin strategy across additional facilities, strengthening municipal operations while improving services for residents and visitors.
