The Helsinki Digital Synergy project was created to integrate and utilize existing city models so they could deliver more value across internal processes and public services. In addition to improving city operations, the initiative was intended to encourage engagement with the general public, improve collaboration, and continue supporting Helsinki’s strategic goals for a sustainable, smart city.
The scope extended beyond technology alone. The project brought together multiple city functions and stakeholders, including the Helsinki City Environment Division, which is responsible for urban planning and development, a 3D team based in the mayor’s office that creates 3D models of the city, and Forum Virium Helsinki, a company focused on smart city solutions. To work together effectively and create a dynamic digital city, the team determined that they needed an open digital city platform capable of overcoming both technology and collaboration challenges.
To address these challenges, the City of Helsinki used MicroStation, ContextCapture, and OpenCities Map to generate and update a reality mesh and information model of the 500-square-mile city area for its digital twin, which includes CityGML.
The city established a connected data environment using ProjectWise to create a single source of truth across the project. OpenCities Planner was then used as the visualization and collaboration platform for all stakeholders, including the public. This open digital solution connected the right information to the right stakeholder, supported more effective coordination, and created a reliable digitalized data infrastructure for sustainable smart city initiatives.
A key part of the solution was also public access. The City of Helsinki shares digital city data with the public to encourage dialogue and engagement, extending the value of the platform beyond internal government use.
The project established an open digital city platform that enables better decision-making by connecting the right information to the right stakeholder. By consolidating data into a single source of truth and making it accessible through a shared visualization and collaboration platform, the initiative strengthened coordination across city teams and external participants.
The resulting digitalized data infrastructure supports Helsinki’s sustainable smart city initiatives and helps the city integrate existing models into a more useful and collaborative urban platform. The project also improves engagement with the public by making digital city data available to encourage dialogue and participation.
