Producing 3D applications for urban planning by integrating 3D scanned building data with geo-spatial data

Visual Information Systems for urban planning can be produced in a variety of ways. In this paper we give an account of research into integrating scanned data with urban data sets to produce 3D applications that span built environment spatial scales from building elements to the whole city. In our research, 3D laser scanner is used to capture 3D building models as a way of developing visual 3D presentations. In order to use 3D building models for urban environment, relevant standards are reviewed and the integration of 3D building models with urban scaled geo-spatial data are explored. In the recent EU-funded IntelCities(2004-2005) and Virtual Environment Planning System (VEPS, 2004-2008) research projects, the authors have worked on capturing an existing building in digital form and using 3D data in building refurbishment projects and visualisation of urban environment in planning consultation. The paper introduces the ways of producing 3D applications using integrated data from 3D scanning with geo-spatial datasets. The IntelCities application shows an application for building features survey such as windows and doors, and holistic review of the building's surroundings regarding historical building refurbishment. The application developed in the VEPS demonstrates the potential of delivering web-based integrated consultation services using 2D/3D visualisation. This can be useful to achieve holistic analysis in urban planning projects.