Reframing digital twins as boundary objects : exploring stakeholder interactions in urban and infrastructure management

Digital twins are widely studied for their technical aspects, yet their role in urban planning and management remains underexplored. This research, conducted with CSTB and the Pays de la Loire Region, conceptualizes digital twins as boundary objects fostering stakeholder interactions. Four demonstrators support this study: air quality monitoring in high schools, water level sensors for coastal flood management, energy monitoring for public building, and a public lighting digital twin. The findings challenge the purely technical view of digital twins, positioning them as strategic enablers of collaboration, bridging stakeholder interests for sustainable urban and infrastructure development.