Author(s): Jiagui Xiong; Yangqing Gong; Wensun You; Yousheng Xia; Haoping Wan; Chaochao Zhang
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Dam safety; Digital twin; Ecological flows; Participatory monitoring; Reservoir management; Water governance
Abstract: Digital twin applications in reservoir and dam management remain largely techno-centric, prioritizing engineering safety over social equity and ecological justice. This gap exacerbates vulnerabilities among downstream communities and ecosystems, who often lack voice in operational decisions. To address this, we propose a Social-Ecological Governance Digital Twin (SE-GDT) framework that reorients digital twin design toward democratic accountability. The framework integrates three pillars: (1) multi-level co-governance involving state agencies, local authorities, and affected stakeholders; (2) real-time monitoring enriched with socio-spatial vulnerability and ecological sensitivity data; and (3) fairness-aware decision rules that prioritize basic water needs, mandated ecological flows, and inclusive early-warning systems. Unlike conventional approaches, SE-GDT treats the digital twin not as a control tool but as a platform for procedural justice and institutional transparency. The paper concludes with recommendations for embedding social-ecological impact assessments into the digital twin lifecycle, aligning large infrastructure management with SDG 6 and the UN Water Convention.
Year: 2026