Data in a Box: Digital, Connected, and Innovative Urban Developme

How can data help shape a sustainable future for Munich? The exhibition “Data in a Box: Digital, Connected, and Innovative Urban Development” at PlanTreff showcases the data available to the city and the potential it holds.

The Munich Digital Twin is a virtual replica of the city and brings together a wide range of municipal data. This includes, for example, 2D and 3D geospatial data, such as aerial current and historical photographs, economic data, urban planning simulations, and information on population trends, noise, air quality, and mobility. This urban data forms the foundation for the city’s digital applications, such as the new digital urban development plan.

The exhibition illustrates how such digital solutions can be used in urban planning. It demonstrates how urban development can be planned with foresight and how the quality of life in Munich can be further improved.

A special highlight of the exhibition is the “Data Soil” installation. The installation makes digital data tangible in a spatial and visual way and shows how the Digital Twin Munich uses data to create new perspectives on the city.

The installation invites visitors to explore Munich from different angles. In Exploration Mode, visitors can access and compare different maps, revealing various urban themes and connections.

The Story Mode guides visitors through several thematic use cases:

• Intro: An introduction to the concept of the Munich Digital Twin
• Inner City Concept: The new story on urban planning shows how data can be used for the planning and further development of the inner city area.
• Cooling the City: Using the topic of climate-adapted urban planning, this story illustrates how data can help prepare Munich for rising temperatures.
• Movement: This story addresses mobility and accessibility. It demonstrates how spaces for mobility within the city can be analyzed and further developed.

The installation, which was previously on display at the TUM Architecture Museum in the Pinakothek der Moderne, has received a major update for the PlanTreff: In addition to updated content, there is an entirely new story on Munich’s Inner City Concept; an improved user interface makes it easier to navigate and access the individual topics; and with the “Map Reveal” feature, visitors can also view the underlying data at the touch of a button.

In this way, the “Data Soil” combines digital information with a vivid and interactive experience. The installation demonstrates that urban data can not only be analyzed but also used to better understand urban decision-making and shape the city’s future.

For more information, videos, and images, as well as details on guided tours of the exhibition, visit: