3D City Models

Three-dimensional city models are not just „nice to have“ representations of the real world but rather versatile frameworks that integrate various 2D and 3D information in a systematic and uniform way to facilitate not only visualization but communication, analysis and documentation.

Municipal Benefits

  • Maximizing Existing Data Inventory
  • Centralized management and archival; no more searching for data spread out amongst various departments
  • Zoning
  • Large-Scale Development Plans
  • Soliciting Public Opinion and Feedback
  • Improved Efficiency
    • Digital Asset Management: centralized storage, retrieval, access and archival of mission-critical 3D and 2D digital data
    • Faster analysis through comparison of existing ground plans with actual aerial data: 2D data vs. reality („pictures don‘t lie“)
    • Elimination of double-work within departments and between depts where duties/jurisdiction may overlap
    • Reduction of internal requests for information and/or accelerated retrieval and delivery of data to internal clients (police, fire, building inspector, etc.)
  • Cost Savings
    • One model can serve many different depts and user circles
    • Only one model needs to be updated, eliminating the creation of multiple 3D models by different departments and third parties
    • Initial ROI is recouped over time as user groups are expanded to include more specialists and executive users – knowledge is retained in-house and transferred to each new user/user group
    • The creation of Special Interest User Groups such as police and fire bring value-added insights and additional use of the city model
    • Inclusion of these groups may open up options for new financial resources through government funding options and programs for Homeland Security