National Digital Twin: a structuring initiative for territories

Vectuel applauds the launch of JUNN, the national programme which aims to provide France and its territories with open and sovereign digital twins, supported by the IGN, Cerema, Inria and 1Spatial France as part of France 2030. Proud to take part in this national momentum, the studio sees it as confirmation of what it has been building for over 20 years: territorial data is becoming a public infrastructure, to be visualised, simulated and shared.

What is the JUNN programme?

JUNN — for French territorial digital twins — has been awarded 25 million euros over three years through France 2030, supplemented by 14 million euros provided by the partners. The programme unites fourteen public and private players around an open and sovereign technological platform, tested in four pilot territories: Alpes-Maritimes, Charente-Maritime, Gironde and Ille-et-Vilaine. Its priority use cases address the needs expressed by the territories: prevention of natural risks (flooding, coastal erosion), sustainable urban planning, forest and water resource management, renewable energy development, and biodiversity monitoring.

What does the JUNN change for local authorities?

By structuring data at a national scale, this initiative can accelerate the understanding of territorial dynamics, strengthen cooperation between stakeholders and facilitate public decision-making. A local authority will be able to rely on a common foundation — geographical databases, simulation tools, exchange standards — rather than rebuilding each component in isolation. This momentum aligns with that supported by players in territorial financing and innovation, from the Banque des Territoires to Cap Digital, of which Vectuel is a member.

What is the role of a studio like Vectuel?

For over 20 years, Vectuel has been developing urban digital twins alongside local authorities, developers and major operators: more than 50 cities modelled and 2,000 projects supported. These tools have progressively moved from the demonstration phase to becoming operational supports: design, consultation, communication, simulation and public information. It is the usage layer that will give value to the national foundation: a digital twin is only valuable if it is understood, manipulated and shared. 3D visualisation gives data a face, a scale and a context — exactly what Vectuel provides with Urban Mappr®, Urban Story® and Urban VR®.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading the National Digital Twin?

The JUNN programme is led by the IGN, Cerema, Inria and 1Spatial France, as part of France 2030.

What is the budget for the JUNN?

25 million euros over three years through France 2030, supplemented by 14 million euros provided by the fourteen consortium partners.

Which territories are testing the JUNN?

Four pilot territories: Alpes-Maritimes, Charente-Maritime, Gironde and Ille-et-Vilaine.