Elsir Ali Saad Mohamed
Biography
Internationally experienced academic and researcher in Digital Media with over 40 years of expertise in teaching, research, and professional engagement. Specialized in creative industries, digital design, and multimedia production with a proven track record of curriculum development, interdisciplinary research leadership, and successful industry collaborations. Passionate about driving innovative solutions through academic mentorship and collaboration with industry partners.
Research Interest
Digital Media, Creative Industries, Multimedia Production and Innovation
Abstract
The Interactive Digital Twin: Leveraging New Media for Citizen Co-Creation and Building Community Resilience in Sustainable Urban Futures.
As cities strive to become more sustainable and resilient, the "participation gap" between urban planners and residents remains a significant barrier to creating truly community-centric developments. While the concept of the "Digital Twin" a virtual, data-rich model of a physical urban environment is gaining traction in smart city planning for its technical and predictive capabilities, its potential as a communicative and collaborative platform remains largely untapped. This paper argues that the fusion of Digital Twin technology with new media tools can transform it from a top-down management instrument into an Interactive Digital Twin, a dynamic ecosystem for citizen co-creation.
This research proposes a framework where new media interfaces such as augmented reality (AR) visualizations, gamified mobile applications, and social feedback platforms are integrated directly with a city's Digital Twin. This allows citizens to not only visualize proposed architectural changes in situ but also to actively propose alternatives, provide real-time feedback on green infrastructure projects, and simulate the community impact of new policies. By analyzing case studies and emerging technologies, this paper demonstrates how this approach fosters a continuous dialogue, enhances social capital, and builds community resilience by giving residents a tangible stake in their urban future. Ultimately, the Interactive Digital Twin serves as a critical tool for integrating sustainability, innovation, and community, moving beyond data-driven urbanism to achieve data-informed, citizen-led urban co-creation. This model is particularly relevant for visionary urban landscapes like Dubai, which are pioneering the future of smart and sustainable living.
