From Data to Decision-Making: the Role of Local Digital Twins in Cross-Domain Management Within Municipalities – a Research-in-Progress Study in Veenendaal

Authors

• Diana M.E. Boekman, University of Applied Sciences UtrechtFollow
• Koen Smit, University of Applied Sciences UtrechtFollow
• Guido Ongena, University of Applied Sciences UtrechtFollow
• Rob Peters, Province of Utrecht, HU University of Applied Sciences UtrechtFollow

Abstract

Municipalities are facing increasingly complex, interconnected challenges in areas like housing, climate adaptation, mobility, and social policy. Local Digital Twins (LDTs) are seen as a promising tool to make this complexity more understandable and support decision-making. At the same time, both literature and practice show that few initiatives get past the pilot phase, even though getting through that phase is essential for successful long-term adoption.

This paper presents a research-in-progress study on the development and application of an implementation method for LDT technology within the municipality of Veenendaal, based on human values rather than driven by technological possibilities. Based on literature, case studies, and an initial stakeholder analysis, both opportunities and bottlenecks are identified. The first results show that stakeholders broadly recognize the added value of LDTs, but that fragmented data, limited organizational maturity, and lack of governance are important obstacles. This research contributes to understanding the conditions for successful implementation of LDTs as policy and management tools in municipal organizations.

Recommended Citation

Boekman, Diana M.E.; Smit, Koen; Ongena, Guido; and Peters, Rob (2026) "From Data to Decision-Making: the Role of Local Digital Twins in Cross-Domain Management Within Municipalities – a Research-in-Progress Study in Veenendaal," Communications of the IIMA: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58729/1941-6687.1512
Available at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/ciima/vol24/iss1/9