This project is part of MTA’s Ecological Restoration and Tourism Plan for the Blue Lagoon, aiming to upgrade and safeguard the delicate ecosystem of the site, from its crystal-clear waters to its surrounding coastal garigue habitat. The Blue Lagoon is a designated Natura 2000 protected area under the EU’s conservation network, meaning its preservation is critical.

What is a Digital Twin?

A Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a real-world place. In this case, Mizzi Studio used advanced LIDAR scanning, photogrammetry, and Unreal Engine technologies to create a millimetre-accurate, walkable digital model of the lagoon.

The model was built using:

• 4,500 drone photos

• 30 hours of video footage

• 2 billion data points

The result is a photorealistic, immersive replica of the lagoon that can be explored both up close and from iconic aerial perspectives.

This is the first national-scale use of Digital Twin technology in eco-tourism planning, pushing the boundaries of how landscapes can be studied and safeguarded.

Why Now?

Malta is a microcosm of global challenges, climate change and rising tourism pressures are putting unprecedented strain on the landscapes that define the islands. Blue Lagoon, with its rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystem, is under particular ecological stress.

“Blue Lagoon is the heart of our islands, our child, and like any child we must protect it,” said Jonathan Mizzi, Director of Mizzi Studio and Project Architect. “Digital Twin technology gives us an unprecedented ability to design with the greatest sensitivity to context. It ensures that every intervention is respectful, and that we can fully understand our ecological and visual impacts before acting.”

The project was initiated in collaboration with the University of Malta’s Forensics Department, who carried out LIDAR scanning of the site before Mizzi Studio built the 3D photogrammetry model.

How The Digital Twin Will Be Used

The Digital Twin makes it possible to:

1. Study – Understand the current ecological health of the Blue Lagoon with unmatched accuracy, including the impact of visitors on the landscape.

2. Plan – Design interventions in harmony with nature, while respecting coastal parameters.

3. Act – Share proposals openly with stakeholders and the Maltese public, ensuring full transparency and democratic participation in protecting the lagoon.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg welcomed the project, saying:

“Blue Lagoon’s Digital Twin shows how technology can help heal, not harm, nature. Malta can be a beacon for other destinations facing similar pressures.”

Setting A Global Precedent:

This initiative represents a paradigm shift in how natural sites are managed. By combining technology with ecological restoration, Malta is setting an example that could inspire conservation efforts across the world.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)