Modelling and Visualising Sustainable Urban Developments
Mr John Isaacs 1*, Dr Ruth Falconer 2, Dr David Blackwood 3
1.WhiteSpace Research, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1HG, Scotland.
2. Urban Water Technology Centre, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1HG, Scotland.
3.School of Contemporary Sciences, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1HG, Scotland.
Sustainable decision making in urban design is a complex and non-linear process, which requires the interaction of wide variety of stakeholders. A number of sustainable decision support tools have been developed but previous research by the authors has demonstrated that a major barrier to the implementation of tools is the complexity of the environment in which decision are made. In particular, engagement with the general public throughout the decision making process presents challenges in communicating the complex and interdependent facets of sustainability in decisions and also in providing an understanding to stakeholders of the short and long term implications of alternative courses of action.
This paper describes the underlying concepts of a prototype simulation and visualisation tool (S-City VT) that will allow all stakeholders, regardless of background or experience, to understand, interact with and influence decisions made on the sustainability of urban design. Using the Dundee Waterfront Development Project as a case study, S-City VT takes the unique approach of combining computer game technology with computer modelling to present the stakeholder with an interactive virtual development.
Interactions between the sustainability indicators are modelled using a number of sub models. These models describe the evolution and interdependency of indicators. The analytical network process (ANP) methodology will also be used to model how the different stakeholders views and experience will influence the sustainability of the development.
The results of the models are shown to the stakeholder in a novel way using a 3D visualisation tool. The stakeholder will be presented with a 3D visualisation of the development that encapsulates the results of the models and thus the relative sustainability of the development. The visualisation tool employs a number of different methods of displaying the sustainability results to the stakeholders. These methods show data in varying levels of complexity, depending on the expertise of the stakeholder, empowering all stakeholders by illustrating possible trade-offs between indicator values and sustainability. Further the tool will model and visualise through time the possible results of decisions made at different stages, affecting the indicator values, during the development using an animated simulation allowing comparisons to be made.
