The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is inviting feedback on CAN/DGSI 106-1: Connected Cities – Part 1: Discovery of Digital Twins for Built Environments as part of its 90-day maintenance review process.
Reaffirmed in March 2024, this National Standard of Canada sets out foundational guidance for discovering and managing digital representations of the built environment, commonly known as digital twins. These virtual models of physical spaces are rapidly transforming how we plan, operate, and improve our communities.
As Canada grapples with a nationwide housing crisis and mounting pressure to build smarter, more efficient infrastructure, digital twins are increasingly seen as part of the solution. By offering real time insights into building systems, energy use, and spatial design, digital twins enable better planning and decision making across the full lifecycle of housing and urban development. From tracking energy efficiency to optimizing space usage in multi-unit buildings, this technology can help address housing demand, affordability, and sustainability.
The standard provides a shared framework to support interoperability, collaboration, and innovation across sectors. It guides users through the critical discovery phase of digital twin development, including:
- Mapping and representing physical assets, locations, and subsystems
- Structuring asset hierarchies across sites, buildings, and rooms
- Ensuring accurate, contextual data mapping for informed decisions
- Promoting cybersecurity considerations in early planning
Digital twins offer transformative potential in city-building, with applications ranging from infrastructure monitoring to energy efficiency and accessibility. By capturing real-time data from sensors and systems, digital twins allow stakeholders to simulate, analyze, and optimize physical environments in ways never before possible.
“Digital twins are reshaping the way we understand and design our urban environments,” said Darryl Kingston, Executive Director of DGSI. “This standard lays the groundwork for accessible, interoperable digital twins that can help cities become smarter, safer, and more responsive.”
The maintenance review period is open until August 11 2025. Stakeholders from public and private sectors, as well as interested members of the public, are encouraged to participate. Read the standard and submit your feedback at HERE
Get involved
The DGSI’s development process is collaborative and open to all, and anyone interested in contributing to the development of digital governance standards is encouraged to get involved. For more information on how to participate, contact:
Darryl Kingston
Executive Director
Digital Governance Standards Institute
darryl.kingston@dgc-cgn.org
For further details or media inquiries, please contact:
Shyra Wells
Communications and Knowledge Mobilization Lead
Digital Governance Council
shyra.craig@dgc-cgn.org
About the Digital Governance Standards Institute
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.