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PhD Spring School on Urban Digital Twins

This spring school offers a novel program, designed for early-career researchers to explore, learn, and innovate with cutting-edge digital twin technologies.

It will challenge participants to think critically and creatively about the security, resilience, and futureproofing of urban infrastructure. The program integrates keynote sessions, demonstrations, fundamentals and practical sessions with state-of-the-art technologies, providing participants with the abilities to add novel dimension to their research – digital twin alignment.

Practical sessions will include collaborative project-based learning, prototype development and discussions.

This PhD Spring School is aligned with other events happening in Kaunas during the previous week, namely:

May 14, 2025 – The 5th Building Digital Twin International Congress, organized by the Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA) and hosted by KTU. The event features workshops and presentations on digital twin innovations, with participants from industry, NGOs, municipalities, and global research communities.
May 15, 2025 – The 1st Building Digital Twin Scientific Conference (BDTSC2025), a scientific conference dedicated to exploring state-of-the-art research on digital twins for the built environment. This event is part of the SmartWins project, organized by KTU with support from the BDTA.

PhD school will be organized the following week: 19-23 May.

Countdown to the event:

We also invite you to:

All you need to know

Why should you attend?

This Spring School offers a unique opportunity for early career researchers to elevate their work by aligning it with cutting-edge digital twin technology. Here’s why you should participate:

Make Your Research Relevant in the Context of Digital Twins:

Gain insights into how digital twin technology is reshaping industries and research. By integrating this innovative approach, you can enhance the impact and relevance of your studies.

Leverage and Integrate Specific Technologies into Your Research:

Learn to utilize state-of-the-art tools like Cesium and iTwin, while also having the flexibility to incorporate technologies you are already familiar with or passionate about.

Develop a Functional Digital Twin for Your Research:

Through hands-on sessions, you will work on creating a functional digital twin that directly supports and complements your research goals, providing you with practical experience and tangible results.

Digital twin platforms empower users to integrate real-time data, leverage predictive insights, and visualize complex systems dynamically, enabling informed decision-making and enhanced performance optimization. Make it a part of your research!

Participation fee

The event is free of charge, participants fund their own travel and accommodation. The number of participants is limited, so we encourage you not to wait until the last minute and register ASAP. We would like to ask you in the registration form to attach your CV and fill motivation field.

Technology Focus

Hands-on sessions will include the development of digital twins using state-of-the-art tools such as Cesium and iTwin, as well as sustainability assessment through carbon analysis. However, participants are encouraged to incorporate their own expertise and may choose to use any technology they prefer for development. If desired, participants are welcome to work with their preferred tools and technologies.

Venue

Kaunas University of Technology

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Studentų Str. 48, Kaunas, LT-51367 Lithuania

(in Google Maps: KTU, IX rūmai)

KTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture (FCEA) employs highly skilled construction engineers and architects, who use their knowledge and skills to contribute both to study and to research processes. Our study programmes include advanced study methods and innovative technologies: our students undertake joint semester projects, are learning through innovative studio and BIM methods; specialists and researchers from institutions abroad are involved in the study process.

Registration

Since the event is free of charge, we kindly ask candidates to submit a one-page CV and a short motivation letter. While all applications will be considered, priority will be given to those who also submit their papers for the BDTSC conference. In the event that applications exceed our capacity, registration will be determined based on the quality of the motivation letter and CV, with a preference for conference submissions.

Registration deadline: April 7

Name(Required)

First Last

University, Department(Required)

Email(Required)

Field of interest

Short motivation of participating in spring school (max 200 words)(Required)

Please attach your short one page CV, indicating your work experience and current position (.pdf)(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.

I would like to receive an invitation to BDTA congress and brokerage event in May 2025

Yes

Consent(Required)

I consent that the provided personal data will be processed and stored at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture of KTU. The data is processed for the purposes of participants selection, organizing and conducting the event, and issuing the participation certificates, in accordance with the personal data privacy policy of the Kaunas University of Technology and the legal acts in force in the Republic of Lithuania. CV will be stored until the end of the event, other data will be stored for one year from the end of the event. To withdraw this consent, I will contact KTU by e-mail saf@ktu.lt

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Photograph/video

Please note that the event will be photographed and filmed, and the video footage will be published in the media, on the university and faculty websites and social networks. Participation in the event is considered as consent. If you still do not wish to be photographed, please inform the event organizers at the beginning of the event.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Keynote Speakers

Drury B. Crawley

Director of Building Performance Research, Bentley Systems

Greg Demchak

VP, Emerging Technologies, Bentley Systems

Rodrigo Fernandez

Global Sustainability Director, Bentley Systems

Ranjith Kuttantharappel Soman

Assistant Professor of Digital Construction, TU Delft

Saila Vicente

Sustainability Manager, Bentley Systems

Agenda

Day 1

Keynote:
The Role of Digital Twins in Energy Performance, Urban Resilience and Futureproofing

Explore the transformative potential of digital twins in urban infrastructure and planning, focusing on their ability to improve energy performance, drive resilience and futureproofing.

Speaker: Drury B. Crawley, Director of Building Performance Research, Bentley Systems

Keynote:
Advancing Sustainability with Digital Twins: Global Best Practices and Emerging Technologies

Learn how emerging technologies can contribute to the sustainability of the built environment, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and COP agenda.

Speaker: Rodrigo Fernandez, Global Sustainability Director, Bentley Systems

Keynote:
A personal perspective on academic and professional growth through digital twins

Featuring insights from a defended PhD to a successful academic career at TU Delft. This session will also touch on industry collaboration.

Speaker: Ranjith Kuttantharappel Soman, Assistant Professor of Digital Construction, TU Delft

Technical Introduction:
iTwin and Cesium: Enabling Infrastructure Management and Visualization

A hands-on demonstration showcasing the capabilities of Cesium, iTwin Capture, and iTwin Experience for real-time infrastructure management and advanced visualization.

Speaker: TBA

Groupwork:
First ideation and Feedback Session

Teams formation, defining the goals for the week, developing use cases that align with the Spring School’s focus and alignment with individual research interests.

Facilitator: Andrius Jurelionis, Prof. Dr., KTU Dean of Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Preparation Tips for Participants:
We encourage participants to prepare by reviewing relevant materials and familiarizing themselves with digital twin platforms like iTwin and Cesium. Additional guidance – if needed – will be provided ahead of the Spring School.

Day 2

Workshop 1:
Context Creation and Import – iTwin Capture and Cesium

Learn how to create hybrid geometries using iTwin Capture and Cesium. This session will guide participants through the process of context creation and importing data into the platforms.

Facilitators:

Darius Pupeikis, Prof. Dr., Head of Centre for Smart Cities and Infrastructure, KTU

Jaime Boanerjes Fernandez Roblero, Dr., Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, DCU

Workshop 2:
Getting Started with the iTwin Platform

Dive into the foundational aspects of the iTwin platform with a hands-on session designed to equip participants with the skills needed to begin leveraging this technology.

Facilitators:

Justas Kardoka, Engineer at Centre for Smart Cities and Infrastructure, KTU

Darius Pupeikis, Prof. Dr., Head of Centre for Smart Cities and Infrastructure, KTU

Groupwork:
Geometry Building for Your Digital Twin

Participants will work in groups under the guidance of experts to build geometries for their digital twin projects. This session will blend hands-on practice with mentorship from platform specialists.

Day 3

Workshop 3:
Carbon analysis

Short theoretical introduction and hands-on session on assessment of sustainability assessment through carbon analysis.

Facilitator: Saila Vicente, Sustainability Manager, Bentley Systems

Keynote:
Cognitive Digital Twins: Bridging 3D Modeling, Data Analytics and AI for Smarter Future

Speaker: Ali Intizar, Assistant Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering, Dublin City University

Workshop 4:
Linking Your Data – iTwin IoT

Hands-on session on integrating data into the iTwin IoT platform.

Facilitators:

Justas Kardoka, Engineer at Centre for Smart Cities and Infrastructure, KTU

Jaime Boanerjes Fernandez Roblero, Dr., Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, DCU

Groupwork:
Building Your Digital Shadow

Under the guidance of tutors, groups will incorporate their data into the platform, progressing towards a functional digital shadow for their projects.

Second Ideation Session – Refining Group Goals

Groups will refine their project goals. This session will encourage participants to consider time constraints and focus on addressing the key challenges and objectives for the week.

Day 4

Groupwork:
Collaborative Innovation

A full day dedicated to project development, featuring on-site and online consultations with technology experts and tutors. This session will provide personalized guidance to help participants advance their digital twin projects.

Groupwork:
Enhancing Digital Twin with Predictive Capabilities

Groups will work on integrating predictive elements into their digital twins, such as factoring in weather data to enable scenario-based forecasting and analysis. Participants will bring their data into the platform and enhance its functionality.

Day 5

Groupwork:
Preparing Presentations

Groups will dedicate time to finalizing their project presentations, ensuring they effectively communicate their work and insights gained during the Spring School.

Presentations Session

Each group will present their digital twin projects, showcasing their progress, challenges, and solutions. This session will include discussions and feedback from tutors and peers.

Closing Keynote:
The Road Ahead: Shaping the Future of Urban Resilience with Digital Twins

A talk that explores the broader possibilities of digital twin technology, including innovations in machine learning, AI, and advanced visualization tools. The keynote will emphasize how these technologies can enhance communication and engagement in urban resilience initiatives.

Speaker: Greg Demchak, VP, Emerging Technologies at Bentley Systems

Closing Session:
The Spring School will conclude with reflections on the week and the distribution of certificates