3D urban planning technology more powerful than a locomotive and able to design tall buildings in a single bound has taken Hollywood by storm with a starring role in the blockbuster Man of Steel.
Known as CityEngine, the technology was developed by Geographic Information System (GIS) giant Esri to enable urban planners to design and visualise cities of the future.
However, the 3D models it produces are so realistic, Hollywood filmmakers have used it to re-create the city of Metropolis for the latest Superman movie, and design a sprawling future world for last year’s action-thriller Total Recall.
Based in Switzerland, Esri’s Product Management Lead for 3D, Gert Van Maren has been invited down under to share his Hollywood-scale vision of the technology at Australia’s largest spatial event, Ozri 2013, in Brisbane next month.
Mr Van Maren said CityEngine was revolutionising the way cities were being planned and operated – both on and off screen.
“Moviemakers have quickly recognised how the technology allows them to make convincing digital cities relatively easily,” Mr Van Maren said.
“Urban planners essentially use the technology for the same purpose – but the cities they generate actually exist, or will be developed in the real world.
“It does this by transforming 2D data into interactive 3D city models that can help solve some of urban planning’s toughest challenges, such as how new buildings will affect traffic flow or influence the path of flood waters.
“And because users can move around and examine the cities up close in 3D, it is far easier for non-technical people to understand – which provides better channels for communication and feedback from the city’s residents.”
Auckland City Council used CityEngine to analyse its projected growth 30 years into the future based on its current zoning to see whether the regulations needed to change.
“Huge volumes of complex zoning regulations can be visualised in CityEngine in 3D so people can instantly see where property can be situated, the scale of building and whether the development plan complies with regulations,” Mr Van Maren said.
“You can run shadow analysis to see the effects of a new building, such as the impact on neighbouring buildings or how surrounding residents will be affected visually by a new building.
Ozri 2013 Technical Director Kellie Persson said it was appropriate CityEngine was being showcased in Brisbane, particularly since Brisbane City Council (BCC) used the technology to create a virtual 3D map of the city for its urban planning program.
“BCC’s Virtual Brisbane model is at the national forefront of GeoDesign,” Ms Persson said.
“Users can literally navigate through a photo-realistic 3D map of the city from its government boundary levels right down to street level.
“Up north, Townsville City Council also used the technology to create a sophisticated virtual 3D model of the city that will help shape its planning and development for decades.
“Council have released a ‘fly through’ 3D video of key components of the city’s new draft planning scheme which includes virtual structures that demonstrate what a zoned area might look like when developed.”
Ozri 2013 will run from 4-6 September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Hosted by Esri Australia, the market leader in Australia’s $2.1 billion mapping technology industry, the event is expected to attract more than 500 Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals from across the Asia Pacific.
To register visit: www.esriaustralia.com.au/ozri