Heritage Safeguarding in the Digital Era: Digital Twin Integration with SDGs

Urbanization, climate change, and unfair preservation policies are putting heritage sites all over the world at greater risk. Digital Twin (DT) technology presents a viable solution, facilitating accurate digitization, real-time monitoring, and predictive simulations without damaging delicate structures. This paper observes the integration of DT, while addressing the various features of DT within heritage practices, with respect to the international charters, conventions, discussing Al-Ula case study in Saudi Arabia, contextualized within Vision 2030, aiming to recommend an outline for applying the integration of DT aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development (SDGs). AL-Ula case study was examined in terms of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (4, 9, 11, 13, and 17). The results are synthesized into two synergistic actions: institutional initiatives that incorporate heritage into urban regeneration and tourism (SDG 11/8), and investments in digital documentation and the expansion of community competencies (SDG 11/4) towards sustainable preservation of heritage sites.