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
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
Dr Balamurugan Soundarara
Dr
Balamurugan Soundararaj is a Research Fellow at City Futures Research
Centre. He was a part of the award winning Value Australia project which
integrated cutting-edge research, significant data assets,
state-of-the-art analytics, and machine learning/ artificial
intelligence to deliver secure digital valuation models and tools
covering a broad range of land and property types across Australia. With
a background in urban planning, spatial analysis and human geography,
he has 8 years of experience working, teaching, and consulting both in
academia and industry. His core research interest is in the collection,
analysis, modelling and visualisation of large-scale spatial data with a
focus on solving problems in visualising and communicating complex
methods and their outputs effectively and transparently.
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.
If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.
In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.
By registering for a PIA event (including online, hybrid, and in-person), you consent to:
1. being filmed, photographed, or otherwise recorded during the event (the Recordings) either by PIA staff, a service provider, or via third-party platforms such as (but not limited to) EventsAir, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams;
2.PIA using the Recordings after the event;
3. and releasing PIA from any liability that may arise from PIA using the Recordings. PIA collects and maintains personal and sensitive information in line with our privacy policy. To view the PIA privacy policy please visit the PIA website.