Chapter 3: Navigating the Landscape

This chapter delves into the first crucial step in designing an effective theoretical artefact for the emerging paradigm, Digital Twin for Urban Management (DT for UM), as part of a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. To begin, the chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding the current state of DT for UM through a comprehensive systematic literature review. This review is essential to identify gaps in the existing research and to grasp how DT is currently employed in urban management practices. Prior to this review, the chapter explores systems and systems thinking, highlighting the necessity of adopting a holistic approach to address the complex, multidimensional problems inherent in urban management. Furthermore, it thoroughly defines the central concepts of Urban Management (UM) and Digital Twin (DT), setting the stage for the critical realist perspective applied in the literature review. By examining the methods, methodologies, and philosophical foundations of the studies reviewed, this chapter provides a deep understanding of the current landscape, laying the groundwork for designing the artefact that will support the maturity of the DT for UM paradigm.