Towards a multifunctional virtual city model

This chapter examines the challenge of creating and sustaining a virtual city model and illustrates how the success of such efforts may depend on strategic collaborations between multiple organizations. It argues that a city model which is aligned to the development of the real city, to visually and analytically assess urban planning proposals, is more likely to be regularly used, continually updated, authoritative and sustainable in the longer term. A case study is described of Virtual NewcastleGateshead (VNG), a collaboration between a university (Northumbria University) and two neighbouring local authorities (Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council) in the north east of England, UK, with the aim of developing a financially sustainable three-dimensional (3D) computer model for the purposes of urban planning, education and research. The chapter also summarises associated research which investigates the issues in extending the visualization capabilities of a virtual city model by exploring data interoperability issues related to 3D simulations of the performance aspects of urban spaces, including pedestrian movement, noise mapping, wind modelling and thermal comfort. It proposes that the integration of such simulations into virtual city modeling offers much scope for continued use of city models and future research. Conclusions on this collaborative, integrated approach to sustainable city modeling are included.