Modelling and Digital Twins - Tools for forecasting and scenarios
Planning is inherently about the future, and modelling is one of the key ways we test what different futures might look like. This briefing provides an accessible introduction to the guiding principles behind modelling, scenarios and digital twins, followed by a case study showing how these tools are being used to explore growth, land use change and long-term impacts in a real planning context.
This event is Australian Eastern Standard Time (Brisbane QLD), for a time converter for your state please see HERE
Event booked out? Please email to join the waitlist and keep an eye out – the session will be made available after the live event on .
**Attendees will be sent the Zoom link before the briefing. This is a personalised link that will be emailed to you directly from Zoom, please keep an eye out for this as well as check your junk folders. Email [email protected] if you need assistance.**
Speakers
Prof. Chris Pettit MPIA, Scientia Professor, Director of Cities Futures Research Centre - UNSW
Scientia Professor Chris Pettit is Director of the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW Sydney. Professor Pettit’s work sits at the intersection of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, data science, urban planning, and city shaping, with a focus on translating advanced analytics into better urban decision-making. He currently serves on the Planning Institute of Australia’s National PlanTech Advisory Committee and the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) Scientific Committee.
Kade Sorensen, Associate, SGS Economics & Planning
Kade has 12+ years of experience in developing data science solutions in the private and public. He holds a PhD in Economics and has published across topics in spatial econometrics, house price modelling, and upzoning in Auckland. More recently he has worked for Auckland Council and SGS where he has focused on the development of land use simulation models.
Case study discussed: Auckland City Council – Land Use Modelling and Scenarios
About the Series:
The PIA PlanTech Briefing Series for 2026 connects PIA’s recently launched PIA PlanTech Core Competencies document with real tools and technologies shaping planning practice today. Each session brings together a practitioner grounded in planning principles and professional standards, followed by on the ground examples of best practice, their experiences and what they’ve learned along the way. The series is practical, reflective and focused on helping planners build confidence in using digital tools responsibly.
Event Terms and Conditions
Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.
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