From Video Games to Life-Saving Technology
Ever played SimCity and dreamed of controlling a real city? Well, someone actually did it - and now he's using that childhood dream to save lives on tropical islands, prevent disasters before they happen, and transform how our cities work! We think that's pretty cool!
Meet Raza Jafri, MBA , CEO MetaWorldX , the urban planner who turned his gaming obsession into groundbreaking technology that's already innovating cities from Canada to Saudi Arabia. In this interview, he reveals how digital twins (think SimCity meets real-world data) are doing things that seemed impossible just a few years ago.
Want to know how a virtual copy of your city could predict accidents before they happen? Or how the technology in your smartphone is already part of a system that could save millions of lives? Curious about what happens when AI starts managing city evacuations?
Timothy Papandreou , our host of 'Conversations in the Park' podcast, sat down with Raza to get answers to these questions and more!
Tim: Your journey into digital twins started with SimCity. How did a video game inspire your current work?
Raza: Growing up in Montreal, I was constantly aware of our infrastructure challenges. While playing SimCity, I kept thinking, "Why don't they just use this?" It seemed so simple as a kid. Fast forward through my urban planning degree, and I realised we could actually bridge the gap between gaming technology and real-world planning. SimCity was doing something profound - it was showing us the potential of visualising and managing complex urban systems in real-time.
Tim: So how do digital twins take that SimCity concept and make it real?
Raza: A digital twin isn't just a 3D model - it's a living, breathing virtual replica of any real-world asset or environment. Think of it as SimCity with real data and real consequences. The key components are physical assets, constant data feedback, adaptability, and the ability to simulate different scenarios. But unlike SimCity, where you can just bulldoze problems away, we're dealing with real cities, real people, and real challenges.
Tim: Can you give us a concrete example of how digital twins are making a difference?
Raza: One of our most impactful projects is on the island of Martinique. They're facing a perfect storm of challenges - hurricanes, volcanoes, and now toxic seaweed that releases hydrogen sulfide gas. The seaweed isn't just an inconvenience; it can cause serious health issues, from respiratory problems to cardiac arrest.
Our digital twin helps government officials and citizens track these environmental hazards in real-time. They can see where the seaweed is accumulating, monitor gas levels, and make informed decisions about which areas to avoid. It's literally saving lives by giving people a common source of truth and helping prevent hospitalisations.
Tim: That's fascinating. How long does it take to build something like that?
Raza: It varies. For a city-level application, like our digital twin of the town Aurora, we can do it in about two months. But more complex projects, especially in the Middle East, can take six months for the initial build, with ongoing updates every couple of months. We're constantly adding features, connecting more buildings, and integrating new data sources.
Tim: When clients come to you, what are they typically looking for?
Raza: [Laughs] There are two types. The first is the "bandwagon" client who just wants a digital twin because it sounds cool. They heard the term at a conference and decided they need one. The second type understands their specific problems and sees digital twins as a potential solution. These are the exciting projects because they're focused on real outcomes - increasing efficiency, reducing waste, saving money, and improving lives.
Tim: How is AI changing the game for digital twins?
Raza: Think about the amount of data a city like Dubai or New York generates - it's massive. AI helps us make sense of it all in real-time. For example, we're working on a project in Saudi Arabia where AI helps optimise emergency evacuations. Instead of just directing people to the nearest exit, the system considers crowd density and real-time conditions to guide people to the safest route, even if it's not the closest.
The really exciting part is what's coming. With quantum computing on the horizon, we'll be able to predict and prevent accidents before they happen by analysing patterns in traffic, weather, and human behaviour.
Tim: What advice do you have for cities or organisations considering digital twins?
Raza: Start with the problem, not the technology. Digital twins are powerful tools, but they're just that - tools. Whether you're dealing with environmental challenges, infrastructure maintenance, or emergency response, be clear about what you're trying to achieve. And remember, this isn't just about data collection - it's about using that data responsibly to enhance and protect communities.
It is amazing how far we've come from those early days of visual concepts like SimCity. Digital twins aren't just simulations anymore - they're becoming essential tools for building safer, more resilient cities.
Raza's work shows us that the future of urban planning isn't just about building better infrastructure - it's about creating digital ecosystems that help us understand and respond to our cities' needs in real-time. As climate challenges grow and cities become more complex, these tools will become increasingly crucial for urban planners, government officials, and citizens alike.
Want to learn more? Watch or listen to the full conversation on our latest episode of 'Conversations in the Park'.
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