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CityxChange – Bologna

The Bologna is among the leading European cities in the challenge toward climate neutrality, as part of the EU mission 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030.

In this context, R2M Solution, in collaboration with the University of Bologna, developed a case study focused on the application of the urban Digital Twin as an innovative tool for sustainable urban planning and city decarbonization.

The urban Digital Twin developed for Bologna made it possible to analyze the energy behavior of buildings and districts by simulating different retrofit, energy efficiency, and renewable energy production scenarios.
The model integrated data from heterogeneous sources—such as cadastral records, 3D models, energy consumption data, climate data, and Energy Performance Certificates—providing a dynamic and interconnected view of the urban fabric.

Two pilot areas were selected for the experimentation: Pilastro–Roveri, characterized by a mix of residential and industrial functions, and Pratello–Sant’Isaia, located in the historic city center.
For each area, an energy baseline was established and intervention scenarios were simulated, including both passive measures (thermal insulation, reduction of heat losses) and active measures (system replacement, installation of photovoltaic panels).

The result is a multiscale urban energy model, capable of providing valuable insights to support the planning and development of low-emission neighborhoods and districts.

As part of the CityxChange project, R2M Solution developed dynamic energy modeling for the Italian case studies using IES iCD, a GIS plug-in based on OpenStreetMap and integrated into SketchUp.
This tool enabled the rapid generation of three-dimensional models and the simulation of realistic energy scenarios at the urban scale.

The work contributed to defining a reference methodology for the use of Digital Twins in urban planning, providing practical tools for public administrations, professionals, and citizens to support the development of energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainable mobility strategies.