An essential planning tool
Prospect is a dynamic virtual-reality planning tool
developed by CitrineVRS.
It allows planners and prospective developers to work together to create future
development in the context of the existing urban environment, building on the unique
characteristics of the culture, heritage and urban landscape in a sustainable and
considered way.
Communication is fluent and effective with an instantaneous 3D visualisation and rapid
iteration of ideas.
Planners and developers are able to see exactly what can be built and the capacity of the
urban environment to sensitively accommodate new development, from tall buildings to
leisure and tourism.
Prospect uses advanced computer technology and expert visual planning analysis developed
in the UK by consultants working with Maltese Architects VRS
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Concept
Prospect was conceived by a group of UK based urban professionals,
and recently further developed with Maltese architect Joseph A Pace, concerned to improve
the tools and methodologies available for the assessment of high building proposals in
metropolitan areas. Initially looking at skyscaper studies in London our prime concern was
the lack of an objective method for identifying the potential visibility of medium to high
rise proposals in urban areas.
The process of
visual assessment in urban areas lags behind it's counterpart in rural areas in the UK
where CAD terrain modelling has been used to produce ZVI (visibility) analyses with
success for some years.
High profile
applications and appeals for landmark high buildings can advance on the basis of proposal
specific visual appraisal techniques such as verified photomontages. However, the lack of
an urban substitute for ZVI analysis is a major handicap for policy led regeneration
studies where policy makers would wish to assess the implications of medium to high rise
buildings in a particular area. Confident assessment of the capacity of areas at the
policy level is inhibited by the lack of a simple analysis tool.
Research
With the aim of replicating the ZVI process in London we set about
identifying sources of 3 dimensional data on London's built form. By investing in the
development of software and the use of 3D building height survey data we have developed a
range of computer applications that can produce mapping to show the visibility implications from development
proposals.
Additional
Benefits
As the ability to produce the visibility analysis arises from the
development of a three dimensional model of buildings and topography the data is able to
be used for more detailed analyses of proposals with fly through to show how visibility
will change on certain routes for example. It is also possible to use the computer model
to test future scenarios by adding buildings and proposals that are not yet built.
The opportunity
now exists for local government and planning authorities to have a model of key
administrative zones in which recent planning decisions can be added.
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Applications
A
regeneration policy tool
Prospect allows the formulation of positive urban planning policies
that seek to provide a 'plan-led' approach to high buildings - aiming to protect sensitive
areas and views from intrusive development whilst also identifying the capacity of
regeneration areas for height.
High
building capacity/sensitivity analysis
The pilot work on Prospect was developed whilst working on a project
within the new framework for the Elephant & Castle area of London. This framework is a
good example of policy led planning which includes a positive role for high buildings. The
intention being for the central location of the Elephant to be expressed more clearly in
relation to central London.
The early ZVI
equivalent analysis that we produced was designed to show the visibility of buildings of
certain height and location. What height was needed to be seen from the River Thames?
Clearly to establish a positive role for a landmark it is necessary to assess where it can
be seen from rather than simply to check that it cannot be seen from sensitive locations
which is the standard methodology applied in most planning applications and appeals.
Cluster
Analysis
Current philosophy and policy on high buildings favours clusters of
buildings rather than isolated incidents. Prospect is able to show, by overlaying the
visibility map of one building with another, the areas where two buildings are both
visible. This helps to test whether a cluster is truly achieved in the urban landscape.
View
Protection Analysis
Prospect can also be used to produce sensitivity analysis working
from areas of conservation and historical importance. Working away from the conservation
area, for example, it is possible to produce mapping that will show the heights above
which buildings would be visible from a given vantage point. This ability would allow
development control and policy work to be alerted to the potential visibility.
City-wide
modelling
Prospect can provide and maintain three dimensional zoned models of
large areas, which can be updated with development and regeneration proposals and used for
analysis or presentation/consultation purposes.
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Company Background
VRS Ltd and Citrine UK Ltd have joined forces to form CitrineVRS, a trading division of
the two companies. VRS Ltd was set up by Maltese architect Joseph A Pace to offer high-end
visualization and architectural services. Citrine UK Ltd was set up by Gordon Citrine in
1994 to develop software and provide expert advice and bureau services to the design and
planning professions. As a Chartered Landscape Architect (MLI) Gordon has extensive
experience of the design and construction industry. With a client oriented approach, the
company has a staff of highly skilled visualisation experts and a network of collaboration
which is becoming known for quality and efficiency.
CitrineVRS has developed a successful
ongoing working relationship with many renowned consultancies in the UK where full use of
modern communication methods and the internet ensure a fluid and efficient transfer of
design ideas and visuals. The company takes pride in its high standards, never failing to
win repeat work and recognises that a successful project outcome relies upon good
communication with the client to ensure satisfaction at all stages.
Our research has led to
ground-breaking developments in the techniques for virtual reality modelling and terrain
visibility analysis receiving UK television coverage of our interactive model of Peel
Holdings’ proposed racecourse and forest park in Salford, as well as skyscraper
visibility studies in London and road schemes for Highways Agency appointed engineers WSP,
"...setting the new standard for presentation" (Highways Agency representative)
The scope of our computer based
analyses will inform the planning and design process in a scientific way, which has been
developed and is used extensively in our UK work. This is not only for building projects,
but wind farms, quarrying and landscape impact assessment too.
With recent advances in software and
data availability we are now able to take advantage of these methods to vastly improve the
quality of information available in the decision making process. A further advantage of
this approach compared with standard computer visualisation methods is that it allows a
greater degree of flexibility in the planning stages to test different designs quickly
without committing to one option – different scenarios can be assessed and their
impact seen instantly from any viewpoint without the need to reconstruct and render
photorealistic views, which are more appropriate at the later stages of project planning.
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