Wait… isn’t this what smart digital twins were built for? Lessons from a city on fire. Wikimedia: Chicago in Flames, Currier & Ives, 1871 After weeks of destruction, disarray, and the loss of thousands of buildings, Los Angeles is finally seeing some rain this week. This contrast—the destruction of last week and the calm of this week—underscores just how vulnerable our cities and infrastructure are to nature’s extremes. As the fires die down, one question keeps haunting me: Why do our so-called smart buildings and cities fall short when we need them most? We’ve poured billions into advanced technologies for cities and buildings—Building Information Models, Building Automation Systems, LEED certifications, and decades of standards development. On paper, it seems like we’ve checked all the boxes. But when it comes to the moments that truly matter—like wildfires tearing through neighborhoods—those systems too often fail to deliver the actionable, real-time information we desperately need. The promise of cities, buildings, and infrastructure that work in harmony with our needs isn’t living up to expectations. This Is About More Than Wildfires This isn’t just about the fires in Los Angeles. Every challenge we face—hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, fires, wars, and attacks—puts the resilience of our cities and buildings to the test. In every one of these scenarios, we’re forced to confront the same question: How well do our cities and infrastructure support us in times of need, and how do we ensure they don’t become liabilities? Homes, businesses, schools, and community buildings were among the buildings lost in the fires. When disaster strikes, the absence of accurate, accessible information about these spaces further compounds the challenges. It’s not that we lack the tools or technology; the systems we’ve implemented haven’t been designed to work together effectively. Crumbling infrastructure and increased demands on disconnected, underutilized assets are unsustainable. And it’s not just the physical structures that are failing—our lack of information about the state of these assets compounds the problem. Take water and energy systems, for example. During the fires in Los Angeles, these resources acted in ways that could only be described as "dumb." Reservoirs were empty, pressure failed when it was most needed, and energy grids weren’t resilient enough to anticipate, adapt, or react effectively to the crisis. These aren’t isolated issues—they repeat themselves in disaster after disaster. Across the board, our infrastructure lacks the intelligence to predict, plan, and respond to challenges. When disasters strike, our cities and buildings must do more than just withstand the event—they must actively help us prepare, respond, adapt, and recover. Without the integration of data and smarter systems, the failures we see today aren’t just missed opportunities—they’re escalating risks that we can no longer afford to ignore. Outdated Data, Fragmented Systems, and Escalating Risks Take a look at our so-called advanced buildings. Sure, they’re efficient, and many boast sleek LEED plaques declaring their gold or platinum status. But what happens when a fire sweeps toward one of these buildings? Do they tell us what’s inside? Can they help first responders locate gas shut-off valves or identify hazardous materials? Most of the time, the answer is no. Instead, you’re lucky if you find outdated PDFs of floor plans or fragmented data scattered across systems. Consider schools, for example—places where safety and functionality are paramount. Do we have real-time insights into how these buildings operate or how to respond in a crisis? Too often, the answer is no, and the data we do have is scattered, outdated, or inaccessible when it’s needed most. And it’s not just buildings. Our cities, which we proudly label as “smart,” are riddled with the same problems. Disconnected systems, siloed data, and a lack of interoperability make them anything but intelligent when crises hit. The issue isn’t technology—it’s the failure to unlock the potential of what we already have. A Call to Owners and Governments: Get Smarter Owners and government agencies need to rethink how they approach contracts and specifications. Too often, they treat a BIM or digital twin as a single product or solution—as if there’s a magic “one digital twin” app that will solve everything. That’s not how digital twins work. Instead, they must focus on actionable outcomes and ask the right questions: What are the use cases? What data needs to be collected? How will these systems integrate into broader ecosystems? Without clear answers, contracts risk becoming vague wish lists rather than effective tools for progress. As an owner, how well are you connecting the data you already have? Or are you constantly passing around files within your own organization to share information you supposedly already possess? Do you really want to continue that inefficient pattern under the guise of an expensive digital twin lens? A digital twin isn’t about more fragmented data—it’s about creating connections, eliminating redundancy, and unlocking the potential of the systems already in place. As the largest land and building owners, government agencies have an outsized influence on the entire AECO industry. Their decisions shape not only the projects they oversee but also the standards and practices that ripple across the sector. By improving how they contract, build, and operate their assets, they can set a clear example for the industry to follow. Yet, too often, these agencies pursue shiny objects and overly ambitious plans that fail to materialize. At the same time, they fail to share enough about what works—proven standards, scalable systems, and lessons learned from failures—slowing progress for everyone. Governance and leadership must go beyond adopting new technologies. Owners and governments must prioritize secure, open standards, interoperability, and systems that connect buildings, infrastructure, and emergency response. The status quo of cautious, incremental change is no longer enough. By providing clarity, collaboration, and transparency, they can create a shared roadmap for meaningful, scalable solutions. As stewards of vast portfolios, government agencies have both the opportunity and the responsibility to demonstrate what’s possible. They can drive industry-wide change, proving that smarter, more connected systems aren’t just aspirational—they’re achievable. The AECO Industry: Time to Stand and Deliver The AECO industry must also play a vital role. We already have the tools—BIMs filled with valuable data, decades of standards, and innovative digital twin platforms. But too often, these tools aren’t fully leveraged. It’s time to stop selling the illusion that a single fancy 3D model is the answer. Digital twins aren’t just about visuals—they’re about making data accessible, actionable, and connected to the systems that need it most. Our role as designers and builders is clear: to create infrastructure that isn’t just efficient but also adaptive, responsive, and part of a larger ecosystem. The industry must move beyond marketing buzzwords and deliver systems that solve real-world problems. From Blame to Solutions: Smart Digital Twins Are Key
As the rain falls on still-smoldering fires, it’s time to ask hard questions. Why are our cities and buildings falling short of their potential? Why do we settle for systems that fail us when we need them most? And most importantly, how can we redefine our approach to create infrastructure that is truly functional, adaptive, and resilient? When disasters strike, it’s easy to point fingers—the weather, the grid, the design of buildings, unprepared owners, subpar warning systems, or outdated technology. But blame doesn’t solve problems. Instead of focusing on fault, each stakeholder must take responsibility and understand how they can contribute to the solution. Government agencies, owners, and the AECO industry all have critical roles to play, and the only way forward is through collaboration. The public is demanding action—just as they demanded useful tools like the Watch Duty app when government systems fell short. Apps like Watch Duty succeeded not because they were perfect but because they delivered clarity, actionable insights, and real value to people in moments of crisis. That same expectation for innovation, transparency, and effectiveness now extends to the way we design, operate, and manage our cities and infrastructure. This is not just an opportunity—it’s a responsibility. If we cut through the noise, focus on outcomes, and commit to working together, we can create smarter, more resilient cities and buildings that truly serve the public. Blame won’t build solutions, but collaboration will. In 2025, we are focusing BIMStorm on these critical topics, bringing together forward thinkers to collaborate on real-world solutions. If you’re ready to join the conversation and help drive meaningful change, we invite you to be part of the solution. Together, we can show that smarter, more connected systems aren’t just possible—they’re happening. Third in a series of blog posts: 1. Four Terrifying Reasons AI and Digital Twins Are Tied at the Hip 2. Yelling Fire in a Crowded City 3. Why Are Smart Buildings and Cities…Dumb? Kimon Onuma, FAIA A recognized leader in BIM and Digital Twins, Kimon has over three decades of experience Building Informed Environments. His work focuses on open standards, interoperability, and innovative lifecycle management solutions, including the ONUMA System, BIMgenie, and BIMStorm. Kimon also leads the development of industry standards, contributing to the National Institute of Building Sciences' Digital Twin Integration Subcommittee and advancing AI integration in building processes. Comments are closed.
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January 2025
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