More than ever, civil engineers need to communicate and connect with the wider public, helping society to make more informed decisions about the impacts and thus sustainability of proposed projects.
A new three-dimensional (3D) visualisation tool developed at Abertay Dundee University looks set to help.
Interacting with sustainability and urban design
Full details of the tool are published in the latest issue (164 DP3) of the ICE Urban Design and Planning journal. Lead author John Isaacs of the university’s Simbios research centre says, ‘The prototype simulation and visualisation tool was developed to enable all stakeholders, regardless of background or experience, to understand, interact with and influence decisions made on the sustainability of urban design.’
An interactive virtual model
Called ‘S-City VT’, the tool uniquely combines 3D interactive and immersive technologies with computer modelling of economic, social and environmental impacts. It then presents stakeholders with an interactive virtual model of a proposed building or infrastructure project.
‘By projecting the results of a simulation model onto a virtual representation of an actual development, the tool allows the user immediately to envisage the consequences of any decisions taken and the differences in specific scenarios over time,’ says Isaacs.
For more information
Please contact the ICE Proceedings editor Simon Fullalove on +44 (0)20 7665 2448 or email editor@ice.org.uk