Peter Pulsifer, a Professor of Geomatics in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Carleton University, and Stephen Fai, a Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at  Carleton University, teamed up to present “Establishing an Urban Infrastructure Mapping Research Program: Remembering Dr. Geoff Zeiss / Introduction to the National Digital Twin Initiative,” during a livestream at SUMSF 2023. 

Pulsifer began by speaking about Geoff Zeiss, whom he called an “innovator and global leader” in the area of mapping and developing sustainable and effective urban infrastructure. He discussed the many achievements and awards Zeiss accumulated during his lifetime, mentioning how Zeiss wanted everyone to work together for the greater good. 

At Carleton University, Zeiss’s legacy lives on through the Geoff Zeiss Urban Infrastructure Mapping Fund and program. The program that is being developed will draw from researchers in many disciplines.

Pulsifer’s part of the talk focused around establishing an urban infrastructure mapping and research program. He discussed data management and collection, addressing issues, making use of drones, skills development, opportunities and boundaries of consumer devices and enhancing existing technology and data flow. Policy narratives and data governance were also discussed.  Pulsifer also discussed Digital Twins, and system and data interoperability. 

Fai was introduced at this time and shared about his Digital Twin work. He gave a brief introduction to the Carleton Immersive Media Studio, of which Fai is the director. There are four areas of research: digitalization, modelling, digital-assisted fabrication and digital-assisted storytelling. Fai discussed a national Digital Twin for Canada, what a Digital Twin is, how it works, the challenges, what a Digital Twin does and why we would want it. 

Pulsifer came back to discuss the future before a Q & A session was held. Watch the whole presentation to find out more.