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3D Visualization of
Zoning Plans
Christiaan Bos
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3D Visualization of Zoning Plans
Master Thesis
Date:
November, 2010
Author:
Christiaan Bos, Msc
Geographical Information Management and pplications !GIM"
#esearch cond$cted at the M$nicipalit% of Groningen
Supervisors:&r' Ir' #'('' van )ammeren !*ageningen +niversit%"
&r'Ir' ' )igtenberg !*ageningen +niversit%"
Ing' (' &$ister !M$nicipalit% of Groningen"
Professor:
rof' &r' Ir' ' Bregt !*ageningen +niversit%"
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Abstract
Traditionall%, -oning plans have been represented on a 2& map' .o/ever, vis$ali-ing a -oning plan in2& has several limitations, s$ch as vis$ali-ing heights of b$ildings' $rthermore, a -oning plan is
abstract, /hich for citi-ens can be hard to interpret' Therefore, the goal of this research is to eplore
ho/ a -oning plan can be vis$ali-ed in & and ho/ it can be vis$ali-ed it is $nderstandable for the
p$blic' The & vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan is applied in a case st$d%, presented in Google 3arth,
and a s$rve% is eec$ted to verif% ho/ the respondents perceive the -oning plan from the case st$d%'
n important factor of -oning plans is interpretation, since it determines if the p$blic is able to
$nderstand /hat is vis$ali-ed b% the -oning plan' This is challenging, since a -oning plan is abstract
and consists of man%detailed information and diffic$lt terms' In the case st$d% several techni4$es are
$sed to vis$ali-e the -oning plan in &' The s$rve% sho/s that vis$ali-ing heights in & gives a good
impression of the maim$m heights and is considered as an important advantage in comparison to 2&'
The s$rve% also made clear incl$ding eisting b$ildings is $sef$l, /hich can help that the p$blic can
recogni-e the area easier'
nother important factor is interactivit%' Interactivit% can range fromletting people navigate thro$gh a
-oning plan area and in the case st$d% $sers can clic5 on a certain area or ob6ect in the plan and
s$bse4$entl% a men$ pops $psho/ing more detailed information of a certain ob6ect' The s$rve% made
clear that $sing a pop$p men$ is $sef$l, b$t this techni4$e did not optimall% /or5' Navigating in
Google 3arth /as also being positivel% 6$dged'
Information intensit% is also an important factor Information intensit% concerns the level of detail of a
& representation of an ob6ect' 7oning plans are generall% not meant to be vis$ali-ed in a high level of
detail, b$t sho$ld be represented abstract' The s$rve% co$ld not implicitl% point o$t that the -oning
plan sho/s too m$ch or too less detail, b$t it co$ld point o$t that the ma6orit% of the respondents
ans/ered that the -oning plan does not sho/ too m$ch information'
The interface $sed for the case st$d%, Google 3arth, has a s$bstantial infl$ence on the interpretation of
the -oning plan' The legend in Google 3arth is $nclear and an eplanation of the -oning plan is
lac5ing, /hich is re4$ired to ma5e the -oning plan more $nderstandable'
This research has sho/n that & can stim$late the interpretation of -oning plans, beca$se $sers can get
a better impression of the plan and is clearer than a c$rrent 2& -oning plan' .o/ever, the
interpretation of a -oning plan, even in &, still is comple'
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Preface
*hen I started m% research period at the department of geo information at the m$nicipalit% of
Groningen I did not have clear idea of a topic for m% research' .o/ever, rather 4$ic5l% I fo$nd
an interesting topic' The department of geo information is being active in & and one of the goal
is to develop a database of & information and to $se & in pro6ects' I became more interested in
& and I /anted to specif% on a certain application of &' I fo$nd an article on & -oning plans
and I /as immediatel% enth$siastic abo$t this topic' I have a bac5gro$nd in spatial planning,
therefore the combination of & geo information and -oning plans /as ver% interesting for me'
ccidentl%, a co$ncilor from the one the political parties of the m$nicipalit% of Groningen came
/ith the idea to present the m$nicipal -oning plans in a & environment' B% presenting -oning
plans in &, the co$ncilor arg$ed, it /o$ld be m$ch clearer for the p$blic /hat the allo/ed
heights of b$ildings are' or me this /as interesting ho/ & can be $sed in -oning plans and this
research gained me a lot of 5no/ledge'
I /o$ld li5e to than5 ever%one /ho assisted me d$ring m% research' irst of all I /o$ld li5e to than5
(elte &$ister for giving me the opport$nit% to eec$te the research at the department of geo
information at the M$nicipalit% of Groningen' 8econd of all I /o$ld li5e to than5 all the members at
the department of geo information and other members of the m$nicipalit% /hich /ere involved in
-oning plans for their s$pport and cooperation' rom the GIM programma I /o$ld li5e to than5 m%
s$pervisors #on van )ammeren en rend )igtenberg for their val$able s$pervision and feedbac5
d$ring this research'
Groningen, The Netherlands
&ecember 2010
Christiaan Bos
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Table of contents
& 9is$ali-ation of 7oning lans'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''iii
.............................................................................................................................................. ivAbstract...................................................................................................................................v
Preface...................................................................................................................................vi
When I started my research period at the department of geo information at the municipality
of Groningen I did not have clear idea of a topic for my research. However rather !uic"ly I
found an interesting topic. #he department of geo information is being active in $% and one
of the goal is to develop a database of $% information and to use $% in pro&ects. I became
more interested in $% and I wanted to specify on a certain application of $%. I found an
article on $% 'oning plans and I was immediately enthusiastic about this topic. I have a
bac"ground in spatial planning therefore the combination of $% geo information and 'oning
plans was very interesting for me. Accidently a councilor from the one the political parties of
the municipality of Groningen came with the idea to present the municipal 'oning plans in a
$% environment. (y presenting 'oning plans in $% the councilor argued it would be much
clearer for the public what the allowed heights of buildings are. )or me this was interesting
how $% can be used in 'oning plans and this research gained me a lot of "nowledge...........vi
#able of contents................................................................................................................... vii
*ist of figures and tables.........................................................................................................+i
1.Introduction..........................................................................................................................1
1.1,oning plans in the -etherlands.....................................................................................11'1'1 8patial planning in the Netherlands'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''1
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''2
1'1'2' 7oning plans'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''21'1' & -oning plans'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
1.. Problem definition.........................................................................................................41.$ /esearch ob&ectives...................................................................................................... 41.4 /esearch !uestions.......................................................................................................41.0 cope............................................................................................................................0
. 2ethodology....................................................................................................................... 3
.1 cientific 2ethodology...................................................................................................32'1'1' 8$b4$estion 1'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';
2'1'2 8$b4$estion 2''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';
2'1' 8$b4$estion ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';
2'1' 8$b 4$estion
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''< & vis$ali-ation iss$es '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''1@
'< Concl$sions''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''20
4. $% geovisuali'ation in spatial planning and the role in 'oning plans ................................
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>'' 9is$ali-ing -oning plan into Google 3arth'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=1
;'>'1 B$ilding vol$mes''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=1
;'>'2 Mied f$nctions'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=1
;'>' Noise -one'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=2
;'>'< 3isting b$ildings''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=
;'>'> +ndergro$nd -oning''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''=
3.3 6onclusion...................................................................................................................>3>. /esults of survey...............................................................................................................>
>.1 urvey population........................................................................................................>>. %esign of setup of the survey...................................................................................... >>.$ 2ultiple choice !uestions.............................................................................................>5
ig$re ;1' .eights''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?1
The goal of the statement sho/n in fig$re =1 /as to get an impression if the respondents state
vis$ali-ing the maim$m heights is $sef$l' The res$lts of the geo gro$p clearl% sho/s that the% agree
on the statement' >0D of the nongeo gro$p agrees on the statement, ho/ever still a s$bstantial
percentage of .0 %iscussion of results....................................................................................................5
='>'1 9is$al clarit%'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?@='>'2 erceived $sef$lness and ease of $se'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?@
='>' General concl$sions'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@0
. 6onclusions and discussion..............................................................................................5
.1 Answering the research !uestion.................................................................................5. %iscussion................................................................................................................... 54
?'2'1 Choice of Google 3arth'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@>
?'2'2' #es$lts of the case st$d%'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@>
s alread% pointed o$t in the previo$s section, the ob6ects in the $ndergro$nd cannot be vis$ali-ed in
Google 3arth' .o/ever, some vis$al re4$irements have been described and disc$ssed in the case
st$d% !see chapter > and ;", b$t ho/ the ob6ects in the $ndergro$nd are perceived b% the $sers /as not
tested in the s$rve%' That /as a limitation of this research'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@;
?'2' 8$rve%'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@;
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.$ )uture research........................................................................................................... 53/eferences............................................................................................................................55
Appendi+ A urvey..............................................................................................................184
Appendi+ ( Interviews.........................................................................................................11
Interviews with 2unicipality of /otterdam and 9nschede....................................................11
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List of figures and tables
Figures
)igure 1. A framewor" of %utch spatial plans . Planning volume...................................................................................................1>
)igure . 7verlapping of 'oning volumes..............................................................................1>
)igure 5. Csseler 9s 9nschede............................................................................................1
)igure 18. tadshavens /otterdam.......................................................................................15)igure 11. ?isuali'ation of piles in the underground..............................................................15
)igure 1. *evel of %etail
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)igure $0. ?isuali'ation of a safety 'one of $% 'oning plan of 9nschede =..................................................................................................................................... 03
)igure $3. ?isuali'ation of transport pipelines in the underground........................................0>
)igure $>. *evel of %etail
)igure 01. -oise 'one...........................................................................................................>$
)igure 0. 9+isting buildings in the 'oning plan visuali'ed in Google 9arth..........................>4
)igure 0$. ?isuali'ing basement and archaeological 'one....................................................>0
)igure 04. %evelopment percentages................................................................................... >0
)igure 00. ?isuali'ation of ma+imum heights........................................................................>3
)igure 03. 9+perience in 'oning plans.................................................................................. >5
)igure 0>. ,oning plan on the internet...................................................................................>5
)igure 0. Cse of Google 9arth............................................................................................ 8
)igure 05...............................................................................................................................8)igure 38. $% visuali'ation of 'oning plan in Google 9arth...................................................1
)igure 31. Heights.................................................................................................................1
)igure 3. (uilding percentages............................................................................................
)igure 3$. 2a+imum heights.................................................................................................
)igure 34. Amount of information..........................................................................................
)igure 30. 2ore te+t..............................................................................................................$
)igure 33. Popup menu.........................................................................................................$
)igure 3>. 9+isting buildings................................................................................................. 4
)igure 3. Adding photos on e+isting buildings.....................................................................4
)igure 35. Advantages $% in comparison to %....................................................................4
)igure >8. %isadvan;tages $% in comparison to %..............................................................0
)igure >1.?isuali;'ing ma+imum heights...............................................................................0
)igure >.6omparison % to $%............................................................................................3
)igure >$. Adding shadows...................................................................................................3
)igure >4. 2easu;ring heights...............................................................................................>
)igure >0. #he legend used in the case study
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#able 1. $% component ........................................................................................................4>
#able . #ransport pipelines..................................................................................................0>
#able $ %ata sets..................................................................................................................31
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1. Introduction
In the Netherlands, space is a scarce commodit%, /hich ma5es it vital to be caref$l /ith the $se of
space' Therefore, the government sees it as its responsibilit% to act as a reg$lation bod% /hen the $se
and development of land is in matter !9an 7$ndert, 200;"' ne of the instr$ments to reg$late space is
the m$nicipal -oning plan !bestemmingsplan in &$tch"' It is the most important planning instr$ment in
the &$tch spatial planning' The c$rrent -oning plans are represented on a 2& map' .o/ever, a 2&
-oning plan has its limitations, mainl% beca$se the heights of b$ildings are not vis$ali-ed !8toter and
Bi6l, 200;"' In addition, man% developments of & vis$ali-ations !Virtual Cities, Second Life, Google
Earth" are ta5ing place and there is also a gro/ing interest of & in the field of spatial planning !Batt%,
200="' The interest in & -oning plans /as also made clear /hen one of the main political parties in
the m$nicipalit% of Groningen came /ith a proposition to represent a & -oning plan on the internet
!vd Groningen, 2010"' The motive for this proposition /as a complaint from citi-ens /hich had no
good idea of the allo/ed heights of b$ildings' In a traditional -oning plan, these heights are not
vis$ali-ed' In these 5inds of sit$ations & vis$ali-ation co$ld offer an added val$e' The $se of
vis$ali-ations, especiall% in &, is interesting for citi-ens as the% can get a good impression of an area
and can be easier to $nderstand than polic% doc$ments !8ieber, 200;"' $rthermore, & can offer more
and better opport$nities to vis$ali-e ob6ects' challenge is to create vis$ali-ations in s$ch as /a% it is
interpretable b% the $ser' This /ill be an aspect in this research' In the net section a bac5gro$nd on
-oning plans /ill be given'
1.1 Zoning plans in the Netherlands
1.1.1 Spatial planning in the etherlands
In the Netherlands the government s%stem eists of three levels: central government, provincial
government and m$nicipal government' The threetiers are a$tonomo$s, ecept for certain stat$tor%
po/ers reserved for provinces and central government !9an der 9al5, 2002"' The administrative
s%stem is based on a constit$tion and implementing acts and the process of comm$nication bet/een
the tiers of government is characteri-ed b% consens$s b$ilding !al$di and van der 9al5, 1@@
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instr$ment /here binding re4$irements are given for the allo/ed $se of land' The -oning plan
describes /hat the p$rposes are !development or other $se" of land !9an 7$ndert, 200;"'
Figure 1. A framework of Dutch spatial plans (derived from Voogd, olt!er, "##$%&
1.1.!. Zoning plans
The m$nicipal -oning plan is the most important instr$ment in the spatial planning' The -oning plan is
the onl% instr$ment /here binding re4$irements are given for the allo/ed $se of land' The -oning plan
describes /hat the p$rposes are !development or other $se" of land !9an 7$ndert, 200;"' The -oning
plan consists of the reg$lations of the b$ilding development, li5e the t%pe of development, b$ilding
reg$lations and $se reg$lations' 7oning plans are developed to have a Aproper spatial planning !*ro,200?"' This for eample implies that net to a ho$sing area an ind$strial area can not be developed
/itho$t an% problems, since the environment sho$ld be ta5en into acco$nt for ne/ developments'
Therefore, -oning is $sed to prevent ne/ development from interfering /ith eisting residents or
b$sinesses and to preserve the Acharacter of an area' Aproper spatial planning also implies that the
interests in the involved area /hich pla% a role sho$ld be ta5en into acco$nt and need to be /eighted'
This integral /eighting sho$ld res$lt in clear and motivated choices in relation to the vision of the
m$nicipalit% and sho$ld be laid do/n in a -oning plan !8tr$i5sma, 200?"'
rame/or5 vision
Integration plans
rame/or5 vision
Integration plans
7oning plan
rame/or5 vision
National
government
rovince
M$nicipalit%
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Figure 2' 'oning plan of municipalit of Groningen
In the map belonging to the -oning plan, the different t%pes of -ones are represented' This is
represented on a 2& map !see fig$re 2"' B% assigning a f$nction to an area, it is described /hat is
allo/ed and /hat 5ind of reg$lations eists in that area' The reg$lations of each f$nction concerning
the constr$ction and land$se are related' The bo$ndaries of each -one on the map have to be ver%
acc$rate, beca$se an incorrect bo$ndar% co$ld ma5e $ndesirable developments possible or can
fr$strate desired developments !T$nnissen, 200@"' .ere, it is not onl% important that the bo$ndaries
are correct, b$t that a $ser can etract this information from the map' The aspect of vis$ali-ation is
vital, since it sho$ld enhance the $sabilit% and $nderstanding of the plan !)angenorf, 1@@2, cited in
B$lmer, 2001"'
1.1.3 3D zoning plans
C$rrentl% there is no m$nicipalit% in the Netherlands /hich $ses a & -oning plan' .o/ever, as part
of a program of 9#M t/o pilots have been done to b$ild protot%pes to find o$t the possibilities of a
& -oning plan
ne of the main concl$sions from the pilots is that a & -oning plan can offer an added val$e in
vis$ali-ing heights ho/ever, a transformation from a 2& map to & is a challenge, since the addition
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of the third dimension ma5es a -oning plan f$ndamentall% different' To establish a complete &
-oning plan, man% aspects sho$ld be considered, s$ch as data capt$ring, data modelling, data
management, dissemination and vis$ali-ation'
1.2. Problem definitionTraditionall%, -oning plans have been represented on a 2& map' .o/ever, a 2& -oning plan has
several limitations, s$ch as the vis$ali-ation of the heights of a b$ilding !Bi6l and 8toter, 200;" and a
-oning plan is abstract, /hich for citi-ens can be hard to interpret' In the last co$ple of %ears & have
been thro$gh man% developments and is being $sed for a /ide variet% of disciplines li5e spatial
planning, geolog%, h%drolog%, environmental monitoring and real estate !Nielsen, 200>"' In spatial
planning, m$nicipalities have developed & models of their cit% and begin $sing & for planning
processes !7latanova et al' 200?"' & vis$ali-ation offers several advantages, for eample the &
vis$ali-ation of spatial plans can res$lt in better comm$nication /ith citi-ens, thereb% involving them
more in the planning process !lEodman%, 2002"' & vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan is f$ndamentall%
different than a 2& -oning plan, since the third dimension is added to map, /hich res$lts in a different
vis$ali-ation of the plan' In the IM#200? standard, /hich is the &$tch standard for the
representation of -oning plan, the ob6ects and the attrib$tes are described for the 2& vis$ali-ation of
-oning plan' ne of challenges is ho/ the -oning plan ob6ects of a -oning plan can be vis$ali-ed in &
and ho/ it can be vis$ali-ed in a /a% it is $nderstandable for the p$blic' $rthermore, & offers
several methods and techni4$es to vis$ali-e the -oning plan and /hich can help in the $nderstanding
of the -oning plan'
1.3 Research objectives
The main ob6ective of this research is to eplore ho/ a -oning plan can be vis$ali-ed in & and in
s$ch a /a% it can be made $nderstandable for the p$blic and improve the comm$nication /ith the
p$blic'
1.4 Research questions
Based on the stated research ob6ective, /hich is defined in the previo$s section, a main 4$estion /ith
some s$b4$estions are form$lated'
Main research 4$estion:
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How can a zoning plan be visualized in 3D and how can it be visualized such that it is
understandable?
8$b4$estions:
*hat are developments in -oning plansF
*hat is the role of & geovis$ali-ation in -oning plansF
*hat are the vis$al re4$irements for the & vis$ali-ation of a -oning planF
.o/ can a 2& -oning plan of Groningen be vis$ali-ed in & /hich can be
$nderstandable for the $sersF
1. !cope
The research /ill be limited to research to the & vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan and ho/ it can be
vis$ali-ed it is clear to the p$blic' To develop a & -oning plan more aspects sho$ld be ta5en into
acco$nt, tho$gh some of them might be mentioned d$ring this research, the% /ill not be researched in
detail' ne of the aspects deals /ith the design of an interface' This research /ill ma5e $se of an
eisting interface, Google 3arth, to vis$ali-e the -oning plan' It is not a goal to design an interface
specificall% for a & -oning plan' In addition, c$rrent -oning plans are presented on the internet,
ho/ever this research /ill not research possibilities to design a /eb service for a & -oning plan'
& offers ne/ opport$nities to vis$ali-e ob6ects /hich are s$itable to vis$ali-e in & and /hich are
comple to vis$ali-e in 2&' 3amples of these ne/ opport$nities are par5ing garages, basements,
thermal energ% storage etcetera' The aim of this research is not to investigate if and ho/ these ob6ects
can be vis$ali-ed in & in a -oning plan' This research /ill onl% vis$ali-e ob6ects of a c$rrent -oning
plan'
nother aspect deals /ith the 6$ridical conditions of a -oning plan' -oning plan is a binding plan
/hich sho$ld be 6$ridical correct' 9is$ali-ing a -oning plan in & has conse4$ences for the 6$ridical
part of a -oning plan, since the c$rrent -oning plan reg$lations do not in ever% case fit to vis$ali-ation
in &, it fits to 2& vis$ali-ation' This research /ill not aim to eplore ho/ the reg$lations sho$ld be
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made s$itable for & vis$ali-ation' #elated to this iss$e is the IM# model' This research /ill not
develop a ne/ data model for & -oning plans, b$t /ill $se the -oning plan ob6ects from the c$rrent
IM#200? model' Tho$gh the IM#200? model /ill be disc$ssed, no ne/ IM# model /ill be
developed'
!. "ethodolog#
This chapter deals /ith the methodolog% /here the research is based on' It consists o$t of t/o parts: a
scientific methodolog% and a thesis o$tline'
2.1 !cientific "ethodolog#In this section the methodolog% to give ans/ers to the research 4$estions /ill be o$tlined' The
methodolog% is split $p res$lting into a methodolog% for each of the fo$r research 4$estions'
2.1.1. Sub-question 1
The first s$b4$estion /ill disc$ss the developments in & -oning plans' This 4$estion /ill be divided
into three sections' The first section /ill disc$ss the limitations of a traditional 2& -oning plan' It /ill
start /ith eplaining the traditional -oning plan and the developments /hich have been ta5en in place
in the last co$ple of %ears' 8$bse4$entl% it /ill disc$ss the limitations of representing a -oning plan in
2&' The second section /ill disc$ss the development of & -oning plans' In 200= a pilot of 9#M
has been done to design a protot%pe of a & -oning plan' The o$tcome of this pilot /ill be described
and disc$ssed' lso a report abo$t the development of a & -oning plan from three cons$ltanc%
agencies /ill be described' In addition, intervie/s /ith persons from m$nicipalities /ill be done
/hich /ere involved in this pilot' This chapter ends /ith concl$sions'
!.1.! Sub$%uestion !
The second s$b4$estion /ill consist of a literat$re st$d% on & vis$ali-ation, spatial interpretation of
vis$ali-ations and an anal%sis of the role of & vis$ali-ation in the planning process of a -oning plan'
irst an introd$ction on !&" geovis$ali-ation and frame/or5s /ill be disc$ssed to position this
research and -oning plans in the frame/or5 of & vis$ali-ation' Then general principles for
vis$ali-ation /ill be disc$ssed to determine /hat is necessar% for $nderstandable vis$ali-ations'
$rthermore, & vis$ali-ation /ill be p$t into perspective of the planning process of a -oning plan b%
ma5ing a concept$al model and some eamples of & vis$ali-ation in spatial planning /ill be
disc$ssed'
!.1.3 Sub$%uestion 3
The first step of this s$b4$estion /ill be to disting$ish the planning ob6ects of a -oning plan' In the
IM# standards the planning ob6ects are described for -oning plans /hich /ill be $sed for the
representation in &' These planning ob6ects /ill be $sed for the implementation for the &
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vis$ali-ation' $rthermore, in IM# reg$lations are described, for eample reg$lations for the
maim$m height of b$ildings, /hich are described in the reg$lations of a -oning plan' These
reg$lations have to be ta5en into acco$nt for the vis$ali-ation of planning ob6ects in &'
The second step /ill deal /ith the re4$irements to represent the identified planning ob6ects in &'8everal techni4$es are available to vis$ali-e the ob6ects in &, this /ill be disc$ssed' concept$al
model /ill be presented and for each ob6ect in the -oning plan, the vis$al re4$irements /ill be
described'
!.1.3 Sub %uestion &
The goal of is s$b 4$estion is to vis$ali-e a -oning plan in & as part of a case st$d%'
The method /hich /ill be $sed for this case st$d% /ill be based on the #apid pplications
&evelopment, in /hich protot%ping is an important element' #& is a term $sed b% (ames Martin
!1@@1" to describe a set of proced$res and approaches /hich, as the name describes, aim to prod$ce
s%stem designs 4$ic5l%' rotot%ping is an essential element of #& allo/ing $sers to see earl%
attempts b% designers and provide concrete, positive responses' definition of a protot%pe is Aa
/or5ing model of a s%stem or part of a s%stem /hich ma% emphasi-e some specific aspects of it
!#eeve and etch, 1@@@"' The established idea of protot%ping is to spend a limited amo$nt of time and
mone% on prod$cing something in the small before prod$cing something in the large' This s$b
4$estion can be considered as design protot%ping, /here the goal is to sho/ ho/ a -oning plan can be
vis$ali-ed in &'
The case st$d% area /ill be a neighbo$rhood in Groningen, named Coendersborg' The c$rrent 2&
-oning plan of Coendersborg /ill be $sed for the vis$ali-ation of the -oning plan in &' The
re4$irements to represent the ob6ects based on IM#200?, /hich are described in the s$b4$estion
/ill be applied in this case st$d%' Google 3arth /ill be $sed as a vie/er to represent the -oning plan'
The development of the -oning plan /ill be done b% a combination of soft/are, s$ch as rc8cene en
85etch$p'
The developed -oning plan /ill be validated based on a s$rve%' The goal of the s$rve% is to verif% if
the -oning plan is clear and ho/ the interface is perceived b% the respondents' The pop$lation of the
s$rve% consists of people /ith and /itho$t eperience in geovis$ali-ations' n$mber of the
respondents are civil servants from the m$nicipalit% of Groningen and most of the other are citi-ens of
the m$nicipalit% of Groningen' The s$rve% res$lts /ill be anal%sed and disc$ssed'
inall%, this research ends /ith concl$sions, a disc$ssion and some f$t$re research directions /ill be
proposed'
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2.2. $hesis outline
Role 3D visualization in zoning plan (Chapter 4)
Background analysis (Chapter 3)
Developments in
3D zoning plans
Case-study: 3D visualization o zoning plan o
!roningen (Chapter " #$)
Conclusions discussion and
uture research (Chapter %)
&imitations o
'D zoning plan
3D
geovisualizatio
n
3D
visualization
in zoning
plans
sprocess
rolem description (Chapter *)
+ethodology (Chapter ')
Current
zoning plans
,patial
interpretation
Reuirements zoning plan o.ects (Chapter
/)
0+R1 '22%o.ects
3D o.ects 3Dvisualization
techniues
isualization
in !ooglearth
,urvey to test
interpretationzoning plan
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3. Zoning plans in the etherlands
This chapter /ill disc$ss the developments in -oning plans and can be considered as a contet for thisresearch' irst, an overvie/ of developments in -oning plans /ill be given' Thereafter, limitations
concerning the representation of the c$rrent -oning plan /ill be disc$ssed' The last section /ill disc$ss
pilots of & -oning plans'
3.1 %evelopments in &oning plansThe last co$ple of %ears, the -oning plan /ent thro$gh a n$mber of developments' This /ill be
described belo/'
t the end of 2000 the pro6ect &+# !&igitale +it/isselbare #$imteli65e lannen, since 200>
&igitale +it/isseling in #$imteli65e rocessen" /hich stands for digital echange in spatial processes
/as introd$ced b% the Ministr% of .o$sing, 8patial lanning and the 3nvironment !9#M", /hich is
responsible for spatial planning' The ob6ective of this pro6ect /as to ma5e the spatial planning process
more effective and efficient thro$gh the digitali-ing of the development, $se and echange of spatial
plans' $rthermore, it /as set$p to increase the involvement of citi-ens and ma5e the spatial planning
process more transparent !Metta$ and 9ersch$$r, 2001"'
art of &+# /as that from ($l% 200@, m$nicipalities, provinces and national governments areobligated to ma5e their ne/ spatial plans digitall%' This obligation is part of the ne/ )a/ on spatial
planning !*ro"' The la/ arranges the accessibilit% of spatial plans b% t/o related instr$ments: 8patial
lanning 8tandards 200? !# 8tandaarden 200?" and 8patial lanning nline !#nline"' The first
is a set of agreements and r$les /hich provide that spatial plans are echangeable, comparable and
ob6ect oriented !9#M, 200?"' Net to the digiti-ation and improved echangeabilit% of the plans is
the importance of standardi-ation' &igiti-ed and standardi-ed -oning plans contrib$te to better
$niform, $ptodate and echange of plans' In the ne/ *ro the re4$irements for standards of the
instr$ments are described !9#M, 200="' These standards are called 8patial lanning standards 200?!# standaarden 200?" /hich are the basis for the representation, planning and accessibilit% of spatial
plans' ne of these standards is IM#200?, /hich is the information model for the form$lation and
echange of str$ct$re visions, -oning plans, decisions and commandments of the ne/ *ro on ever%
governmental level' It is a model for standardi-ed encoding of ob6ectbased spatial plans' The different
-oning f$nctions are standardi-ed and m$st be $sed in the plans !(anssen and (e5el, 200;"' The
standard for the echange format is the Geograph% Mar5$p )ang$age !GM)" !GC", an open
standard' or the application of IM# a set of practical g$idelines are defined for -oning plans' The
g$idelines promote an ob6ectbased approach in /hich ob6ects in the map are lin5ed /ith tet abo$t
the t%pe of $se and reg$lations' G$idelines for & modelling are not described in the g$idelines, /hich
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/ill be necessar% /hen & land$se plans /ill be implemented nationall%' .o/ever, GM) does
s$pport &'
rom the first (an$ar% of 2010 all of the m$nicipalities, provinces and national departments are
re4$ired to ma5e ne/ digital spatial plans !li5e the -oning plan" available via internet !9an8cherpen-eel, 2010"' Citi-ens, companies and organi-ations are getting easier access to information
on reg$lations of spatial plans this sho$ld improve the services of the m$nicipalities to its p$blic' The
/ebsite #nline !///'r$imteli65eplannen'nl" sho/s digital -oning plans from m$nicipalities !see
fig$re "' These -oning plans are capt$red via a /eb service in the m$nicipal GI8 vie/er to #
nline' 7oning plans are available on the internet via GC !penGI8" standards *M8 and *8
/ebservices'
5igure 3.E)ample of a digital *oning plan onwww&ruimteli!keplannen&nl
The -oning plans have gone thro$gh several developments, /hich improved the accessibilit%,
transparenc% and echange of the plan' .o/ever, the c$rrent -oning plan, vis$ali-ed in 2&, has
limitations, /here ne/ technologies, s$ch as & co$ld offer a benefit in the vis$ali-ation of the plan'
&, therefore, co$ld be the net step in the process of development of -oning plans' In the net
section, several limitations of 2& vis$ali-ation of -oning plans /ill be disc$ssed'
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3.2. 'imitations of 2% visuali&ation of &oning plansThe c$rrent -oning plans have a n$mber of limitations related to the vis$alisation of the plan' In
comparison to &, the 2& vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan has several disadvantages' The main
limitations /ill be disc$ssed in this section'
3.!.1. Interpretation of height
nother important limitation of the c$rrent -oning plan is the interpretation of the plan, in partic$lar
the interpretation of the maim$m heights of b$ildings' n the map it is not vis$ali-ed /hat the
allo/ed maim$m b$ilding height is, b$t maim$m heights are described in the -oning plan
reg$lations and are not vis$ali-ed on the map' Therefore for citi-ens a map does not give a clear vie/
/hat maim$m height is allo/ed and /hat the impact is on the environment !vd, 2010", /hich is
important for citi-ens to $nderstand the plans better' 2& maps are abstract and can be hard to
$nderstand' In &, people can get a better impression of the plan and people can easier recogni-e the
st$d% area !lEodman%, 2001"' In addition, in & it is possible to vis$ali-e the maim$m heights'
B% vis$ali-ing the heights of b$ildings in &, citi-ens can get a better overvie/ of the allo/ed heights
of b$ildings' *hen citi-ens can easier $nderstand the -oning plan, the% become more involved in the
planning process !lEodman%, 2002"' In the net chapter, the iss$e of interpretation of vis$ali-ation
/ill be disc$ssed in more detail'
3.!.! "i'ed zoning
*hen areas have one t%pe of -oning f$nction !bestemming", a 2& vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan iss$itable and is clear' .o/ever, /hen more than one -oning f$nction is assigned on a -oning plane, the
c$rrent 2& maps are not s$itable to give a clear vie/' mied !in &$tch: Agemengd" -oning t%pe is
part of the main -oning f$nctions li5e ho$sing, retail, c$lt$re, service and recreation' In a -oning plan
a mied !gemengd" -oning label is assigned to a -oning plane /hen it contains at least t/o -oning
t%pes, s$ch as ho$sing and retail' This implies that the map does not vis$ali-e /hich -oning t%pes are
allo/ed, it onl% states that a certain -oning plane is meant for mied -oning !see fig$re 1"' *here
these -oning f$nction sho$ld be eactl% located is not described in the reg$lations, therefore, /ithin a
mied -one the allo/ed -oning t%pes are echangeable /ithin the area' If one /o$ld li5e to 5no/ the
allo/ed -oning t%pes, one have to loo5 into the -oning plan reg$lations to 5no/ /hat is allo/ed on
the different b$ilding levels andor on the -oning plane !B$ro 9i6n et al' 200;"' This is a disadvantage
of c$rrent -oning plans, since it is not clearl% visible on /hich level /hich -oning t%pe eactl% is
allo/ed !At 3rve, 2010"'
n eample of a mied -oning t%pe is /hen a -oning plane can have the -oning f$nction ho$sing and
retail andor service' *hen a -oning plane eist of a b$ilding /ith man% b$ilding levels, it is possible
to have mied -oning /ith for eample retail on the gro$nd level and ho$sing on the $pper levels'
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Figure 4.Mixed zoning (source: website municipality of Groningen)
3.!.3. (nderground7oning in the $ndergro$nd is another aspect /hich is hard to vis$ali-e in a c$rrent -oning plan, s$ch
as the vis$ali-ation of archaeological val$es and transport pipelines' s alread% sho/n in fig$re
-oning f$nctions can be either single or do$ble -oning' &o$ble -oning !in &$tch:
Ad$bbelbestemming" means that there are al/a%s at least -oning f$nctions independent from each
other, for eample Aagric$lt$re $se and Agas pipeline, and one of them is overlapping more than one
other -oning f$nction' b$ilding /ith t/o different -oning f$nctions !eg ho$sing and retail" is not
independent' Three main gro$ps of do$ble -oning can be disting$ished: 1' transport pipelines !eg' gas,
oil, /ater, se/er"H 2' val$es !eg' archaeological, c$lt$re historical, ecological"H ' /ater management
!eg /ater emban5ment, /ater storage"' These -oning f$nctions overlap more than other -oning
f$nction'
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Figure 5.Double zoning functionsshown by a+ symbol
These -oning f$nctions are vis$ali-ed thro$gh s%mbols on the map !see fig$re >", ho/ever it is not
clear ho/ deep these archaeological val$es or transport pipelines are sit$ated' n a 2& map, onl% the
bo$ndaries on the s$rface are described in the reg$lations, so the third component is not ta5en into
acco$nt' .o/ever, the third dimension is important, for 5no/ing ho/ deep belo/ the base level the
pipelines and cables are located and ho/ deep the% are allo/ed to be located, in case one /ants to
b$ild constr$ctions in the $ndergro$nd' In c$rrent -oning plan maps, the most important cables and
pipelines are depicted, onl% the depths cannot be etracted from the map'
The $ndergro$nd co$ld be an interesting aspect for -oning plans, since the $ndergro$nd is being $sed
more intensivel% and therefore becoming more important' The importance of the $ndergro$nd is also
stressed in the polic% doc$ment 8patial lanning +ndergro$nd !9#M, 200
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vis$ali-ation' nother eample is the -oning plan of the North8o$th metro line in msterdam' The
t$nnel is partl% sit$ated belo/ ho$sing and shops, partl% $nder /ater and partl% $nder p$blic space'
The areas are labelled as a sort of stac5ed areas and the reg$lation of these stac5s !for eample:
A$ndergro$nd rail/a% trac5 /ith /ater above" is settled in the reg$lations and mentioned in the
legend' The disadvantage of this is that the space of the t$nnel is not or ver% diffic$lt to recogni-e on
the map' The eamples ma5es clear that developments /ith different levels, li5e do$ble -oning
re4$ire a & vis$ali-ation to get a better and more $nderstandable overvie/ of a certain area'
Net to the alread% eisting ob6ects in the $ndergro$nd, described in a -oning plan, there are more
ob6ects /hich can be named /hich are sit$ated in the $ndergro$nd' or eample the $ndergro$nd
consists of man% $ndergro$nd par5ing lots, cinemas, t$nnels, stations and pro6ects li5e the
Noord7$idli6n in msterdam' $rthermore, research is being done in the $ndergro$nd for
archaeological findings and ne/ t%pes of $se in the $ndergro$nd, li5e thermal energ% storage, are
gro/ing' In addition, the economic feasibilit% pla%s an important role, d$e to an increasing press$re
on space on gro$nd level, the $ndergro$nd is become a more interesting alternative /hen loo5ing to
the increase of prices of land !a$l et al' 2002"'
The $ndergro$nd is especiall% ver% s$itable to represent in &, since the $ndergro$nd consists of
several levels, ma5ing the - component necessar%' $rthermore, a 2& map is too limited to vis$ali-e
the $ndergro$nd properl%' In &, a good overvie/ of all the ob6ects can be given and in & this co$ld
be done in more detail than in 2&'
3.2.4 (onclusionsThe c$rrent vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan in 2& has several clear limitations' 2& vis$ali-ation of a
-oning plan is abstract and therefore can be diffic$lt to interpret b% its $sers, s$ch as citi-ens' or
citi-ens it can be hard to get an impression of the heights of b$ildings /hen it is onl% described as tet'
In addition, the limitations ma5e it necessar% to 5eep man% reg$lations described in the -oning plan
doc$ments, rather than be able to vis$ali-e them on a map, s$ch as the maim$m allo/ed b$ilding
height'
The limitations of representing a -oning map in 2& as5 for a & vis$ali-ation, /hich sho$ld res$lt in
& vis$ali-ation offering an added val$e in comparison to 2& vis$ali-ation of -oning plans'
3.3 3% &oning plan pilots
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s part of the program of 9#M concerning the spatial planning of the $ndergro$nd a n$mber of
pilots have been done /ith the goal to become eperienced /ith the spatial planning of the
$ndergro$nd' art of this pilot /as a st$d% concerning the representation of -oning plans in &, /here
the foc$s /as especiall% laid on the & vis$ali-ation of the $ndergro$nd for -oning plans' These pilots
/ill be disc$ssed in this chapter'
In this section t/o pilots initiated b% 9#M /ill be disc$ssed, the first pilot from 200; and the other
pilot from 200='
3.3.1. Pilot !))*
In 200; three cons$ltanc% companies cond$cted an eplorator% research for the possibilities of setting
$p a & -oning plan !B$ro 9i6n et al' 200;"' The goal /as to develop a protot%pe /hich sho$ld be
considered as a start for the development of & -oning plans' The three cons$ltanc% companies
developed a & -oning plan for three different areas' The% made -oning plans for a central station
area, an $ndergro$nd m$se$m and an o$tl%ing area' ll these locations /ere fictitio$s'
In one of the developed protot%pes it became clear -oning on the gro$nd level s$rface can have
conse4$ences for the $ndergro$nd' or eample it is stated in the doc$ment that it is necessar% to
reserve space for fo$ndations for ho$sing' This ma5es it also clear that the -oning above gro$nd level
is often related to -oning in the $ndergro$nd' & ma5es it possible to vis$ali-e the f$nctions in the
$ndergro$nd clearl%'
In fig$re ; the & vis$ali-ation of the station area is represented' In this -oning plan space is eplicitl%
reserved for thermal energ% storage, the fo$ndations of the sit$ated b$ildings and a planned t$nnel' In
the c$rrent -oning plan reg$lations, these ob6ects are not described' 4$estion is, /hether these
ob6ects sho$ld be incl$ded in a & -oning plan' The same co$nts for thermal heating storage' This
disc$ssion /ill not eplicitl% be part of this research, since this deals more /ith the definition of
ob6ects of -oning plans then the disc$ssion ho/ to vis$ali-e the -oning plan it can be $nderstood b%
the vario$s $sers'
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Figure 6.+D *oning plan fromelow
n$mber of iss$es came for/ard from the pilot' ne of the iss$es /as the height of the earth s$rface
level' In the reg$lations it is described /hat the maim$m drain !goothoogte" and b$ilding height
!bo$/hoogte" is' The gro$nd s$rface level is important, since from this level the maim$m heights are
meas$red'
.o/ever, it is not al/a%s clear /hat this earth s$rface level eactl% is' 3speciall% in landscapes /ith
differences in heights this has infl$ence on the maim$m heights of b$ildings' The 4$estion is th$s if a
relative height to the terrain heights sho$ld be $sed or absol$te height levels' In the report it is advised
to $se the Normaal msterdams eil !N", /hich is the &$tch Gro$nd )evel, as the gro$nd level for
-oning plans' This means that for ever% location an eact terrain height is needed'
nother point made from the pilot concerned the planning and -oning vol$me' planning vol$me is
the complete vol$me of the area for /hich a & -oning plan is developed' planning vol$me consists
of -oning vol$mes and empt% vol$mes' 3mpt% vol$mes have no f$nction and are not -ones' 7oning
vol$mes are vol$mes for /hich a -oning t%pe is assigned' s a res$lt planning vol$me consists of
-oning vol$mes and empt% vol$mes, ma5ing it a closed s%stem !see fig$re ="'
n iss$e is here /hat the bo$ndaries are of a planning vol$me' Therefore, these bo$ndaries of sho$ld
be defined for the height and ho/ depth of the planning vol$me'
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Figure 7.!lanning "olume
nother iss$e /as made concerning splitting $p of vol$mes' It can be comple /hen a vol$me
consists of t/o -oning t%pes, for eample par5ing $ndergro$nd and archaeological val$es /hich
intersect in the vol$me' n option is to ma5e a separate vol$me for the intersecting vol$me or as a
vol$me /here both -oning t%pes co$nt !see fig$re ?"'
Figure 8. -verlapping of *oning volumes&
$rthermore, the report made recommendations concerning standards are made /hich sho$ld fit in the
eisting IM#200? standards as /ell as developing an +M) scheme for & /hich sho$ld be added to
IM#200?' lso /hen & -oning plans are implemented nationall%, c$stom soft/are applications are
needed' These iss$es /ill not be part of this research, ho/ever sho$ld be ac5no/ledged /hen
implementing a & -oning plan nationall%'
3.3.! +nschede case
s 200= as part of the 9#M program for spatial planning of the $ndergro$nd, another pilot has been
done' T/o case st$dies have been done, the +sseler 3s in 3nschede and the pro6ect 8tadshavens in
#otterdam, /here the goal /as to design a & -oning plan'
In the 3nschede pilot mainl% the possibilities of -oning above the s$rface in the $ndergro$nd in &
/ere the main goals to research' In order to translate from 2& to &, the eisting -oning method and
reg$lations have been maintained as m$ch as possible' In pilot, first the 2& -oning plan /as converted
into & elements' .o/ever, the gro$nd level is defined as a flat plane, /hich in realit% is a conve
plane' This /as done, beca$se the m$nicipalit% had no s$fficient data available to develop a terrain
model' In fig$re @ an impression of the plan is sho/n'
n$mber of diffic$lties came for/ard from the pilot' ne of the diffic$lties /as in ho/ m$ch detailthe -oning plan sho$ld be vis$ali-ed' If a lot of detail is p$t into the -oning plan, it /ill li5el% be
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harder to $nderstand the plan' The large amo$nt of ob6ects can ma5e the plan less visible' In the pilot
the & topograph% of the c$rrent b$ildings /ith rooftops /as incl$ded, ho/ever a 4$estion is /hether
these b$ildings sho$ld be incl$ded in the plan' disadvantage of sho/ing b$ildings /ith rooftops is
that a s$ggestion can be made ho/ b$ildings sho$ld loo5 li5e'
nother diffic$lt% concerns the visibilit% of the plan' In the pilot the allo/ed b$ilding vol$mes are
sho/ed /ith the eisting b$ildings' Therefore, transparenc% is needed to 5eep the b$ildings visible'
Net to b$ildings also -ones li5e safet% and noise -ones sho$ld be vis$ali-ed' .o/ever, incl$ding this
in the -oning plan, ma5es the plan less visible, since several -oning ob6ects are b$ilt $p on each other'
Transparenc% is a method to deal /ith this iss$e'
nother diffic$lt% is ho/ -oning ob6ects s$ch as noise -ones sho$ld be bo$nded' noise -one has a
third dimension and can therefore be vis$ali-ed in &' In the -oning plan reg$lations no r$les for the
height of the -ones is determined, therefore additional information is needed for the vis$ali-ation of
these 5inds of -ones' nother iss$e of bo$ndaries is ho/ deep in the $ndergro$nd a planning ob6ect
s$ch as a b$ilding is allo/ed to be -oned' Is it allo/ed to b$ild a basement as deep if one /ants or are
there bo$ndariesF In c$rrent -oning plan reg$lation little is stated concerning -oning in the
$ndergro$nd' .o/ever, in & the $ndergro$nd can be vis$ali-ed m$ch better and also therefore can
be more incl$ded in -oning plans'
In the section
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polic% for the $ndergro$nd is necessar%' n advantage of #otterdam /as that the m$nicipalit% o/ns a
large amo$nt of data of the $ndergro$nd /hich co$ld be $sed for the pilot' .o/ever, it m$st be said
that not ever% m$nicipalit% has this 5ind of etensive amo$nt of data in its database'
Figure 10.Stadshavens /otterdam
The m$nicipalit% of #otterdam possesses data abo$t drillings, cables and pipelines, se/ers,
archaeological findings, fo$ndations, geoh%drological data, *orld *ar II findings etcetera' B%
modelling the $ndergro$nd in & a good overvie/ of the ob6ects /hich are sit$ated in the
$ndergro$nd can be vis$ali-ed' B% vis$ali-ing the $ndergro$nd in & it became clear /hich ob6ects
/o$ld intersect /ith a planned t$nnel !see fig$re 11"'
Figure 11.Visuali*ation of piles in the underground
3.3.& 3D isualization issues
n$mber of iss$es came for/ard from this pilots ma5ing clear vis$ali-ing a -oning plan in & is
challenging'
first iss$e concerns the visibilit% of the plan, /hich is a res$lt of the addition of the third dimension
in a -oning plan' In the 3nschede pilot -ones, li5e noise -ones and environmental -ones are vis$ali-ed
in &' These -ones mostl% intersect /ith b$ildings, /hich ma5e the plan less clear' In the pilot
transparenc% is $sed for those -ones' It is also possible that -ones are crossing each other, /hich also
gives visibilit% problems' nother iss$e /ith transparenc% is ho/ b$ildings sho$ld be vis$ali-ed' In
the pilot of 3nschede the b$ildings, based on the GBEN are vis$ali-ed in & /ith on top the b$ilding
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vol$mes sho/ing the maim$m b$ilding heights' To ma5e a distinction bet/een the b$ilding and the
b$ilding vol$mes transparenc% is $sed'
second iss$e concerns the amo$nt of information and the level of detail to be vis$ali-ed in &' &
-oning plan can be vis$ali-ed ver% basic /ith simple bloc5 vol$mes on a flat s$rface' nother optionis to vis$ali-e a -oning plan completel% in &, incl$ding a & terrain /ith a detailed & vis$ali-ation
of b$ildings' More detail /ill be more comple, b$t /ill also lead to more realistic models, /hich for
citi-ens might be easier to recogni-e' &etail of b$ildings is another iss$e' B$ildings can be vis$ali-ed
as simple bloc5 models !)o&1" or /ith roofs !)o&2"' )o&2 sho/s more detail, b$t is more time
cons$ming to constr$ct' )o&1 is eas% to constr$ct, ho/ever gives ver% little detail on b$ildings and
res$lts in the s$rface la%er !GBEN" become invisible' )o& or )o&< seem less s$itable, since in a
-oning plan not man% details concerning the architect$re are described, li5e /indo/s and door
reg$lations are reg$lations' To choose the right level of detail it is important to st$d% the -oning plan
reg$lations of b$ildings' .o/ever, it is a 4$estion /hether eisting b$ildings sho$ld be represented in
the -oning plan, since reg$lations are made concerning the b$ilding plane /ith r$les s$ch as the
maim$m b$ilding height and not abo$t the eisting b$ildings itself'
third main iss$e is that & main data !cadastral map, & topograph%, & modelling of pipelines" is
onl% ver% limited available' & topograph% of b$ildings is not available, /hich therefore have to be
constr$cted from scratch based on 2& data, s$ch as the GBEN' To -one the $ndergro$nd, additional
data is needed /hich not ever% m$nicipalit% has in its possession'' or eample, /hen -ones li5e noise
-ones have to be modelled in &, data is needed to constr$ct the bo$ndaries of the -one' or noise
-ones this /o$ld probabl% mean that field/or5 has to be done to get data of the noise levels'
fo$rth iss$e concerns the navigation thro$gh a -oning plan' Navigating in a & environment co$ld
lead to a lac5 of overvie/ on the map and one co$ld get di--%' Therefore, navigating thro$gh the map
has to be convenient for a citi-en' This can be done for eample /ith a small 2& map on the screen,
li5e Google 8treet 9ie/, to have a better $nderstanding of the position in the map' nother iss$e
concerning navigating is ho/ tet and semantics sho$ld be incl$ded in a & -oning plan to 5eep it
visible and readable for the $ser of the -oning plan'
3.& /onclusions
The c$rrent vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan in 2& has several clear limitations' 2& vis$ali-ation of a
-oning plan is abstract and therefore can be diffic$lt to interpret b% its $sers, s$ch as citi-ens' or
citi-ens it can be hard to get an impression of the heights of b$ildings /hen it is onl% described as tet'
$rthermore, $ndergro$nd -oning and mied -oning are aspects /hich are more s$itable to vis$ali-e
in &'
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The limitations of representing a -oning map in 2& as5 for a & vis$ali-ation, /hich sho$ld res$lt in
& vis$ali-ation offering an added val$e in comparison to 2& vis$ali-ation of -oning plans'
rom the pilots several concl$sions can be dra/n'
The first concl$sion is that & vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan offers an added val$e in vis$ali-ing the
allo/ed height levels -oning plan ob6ects, /hich /ill be easier for citi-ens to interpret in comparison
to a traditional -oning plan, /hich sho/s Aflat b$ildings' In addition, more detail of b$ildings and
m$ltiple -oning of one b$ilding can be vis$ali-ed' .o/ever, & vis$ali-ation can lead to visibilit%
problems, beca$se ob6ects can overlap each other, li5e b$ildings and safet% -ones, /hich ma5es it
challenge to vis$ali-e it clearl% for the $ser' lso navigating thro$gh the map is comple in &'
The second concl$sion is that vis$ali-ation of the -oning plan ob6ects in & is m$ch more comple
and different than in 2&' 9is$ali-ing ob6ects in & is more comple to design d$e to the addition of
the third dimension and the more realistic modelling of the real /orld' The levels of detail of the
ob6ects, & topograph% of b$ildings, /a%s to vis$ali-e different t%pes of -ones are eamples of aspects
/hich raise ne/ 4$estions'
The third concl$sion is that & data is hardl% available' or eample & topograph% of b$ildings and
& data of the $ndergro$nd is hardl% or not available in &, especiall% m$nicipalities do not possess
m$ch & data' This ma5es it more timecons$ming to constr$ct the data before developing a &
-oning plan'
final concl$sion is that the pilots sho/ that technicall% the & vis$ali-ation of a -oning plan offers
man% possibilities, b$t that the transformation from these techni4$es to the reg$lations of a -oning
plan is a challenge and especiall% to ma5e it $nderstandable for the $sers' & vis$ali-ation as5s for
different and vis$ali-ation techni4$es than for 2& vis$ali-ation and in & other aspects are important,
li5e the level and realism'
In the net chapter a literat$re st$d% /ill be done on & vis$ali-ation and the $nderstanding of
vis$ali-ations and the role of & vis$ali-ation in spatial planning and especiall% in -oning plans /ill
be anal%-ed'
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&. 3D geoisualization in spatial planning and the role in
zoning plans
This chapter /ill disc$ss important aspects of & geovis$ali-ation, the role of & geovis$ali-ation in
the planning process and especiall% ho/ it can be related to -oning plans' ' irst, the role of
comm$nication in the planning process /ill be disc$ssed and the gro/ing importance of e
participation' 8econdl%, geovis$ali-ation /ill be defined and important factors for geovis$ali-ations
/ill be eplained' Thirdl%, spatial interpretation of vis$ali-ation /ill be disc$ssed and ho/ it can be
relevant for this research' The fo$rth part deals /ith the role of & geovis$ali-ation in the planning
process and some eamples /ill be disc$ssed' This chapter ends /ith concl$sions'
&.1 ,ole of co--unication in the planning process
&.1.1 /o--unicatie planning
Comm$nication has become more important in the planning process in the last decades' In the last 20
%ears in the Netherlands the role of governments are changing on ho/ spatial planning is implemented
!)o$/ et al' 200"' 8ince the 1@@0s, a Acomm$nicative t$rn in planning can be observed !.eale%,
1@@"' Governments have ta5en a different position in planning and this can be characteri-ed b%
interactions /ith different governments and other actors' This sit$ation is different from a central
government ma5ing plans and ta5ing decisions thro$gh bl$eprint planning' ccording to 9an den
Brin5 et al' !200=" the changing role of the government to governance and the trend of comm$nicative
planning ma5e it necessar% to reconsider the role of participation in planning' Citi-ens increasingl%
/ant to have more infl$ence in the decision ma5ing process' Citi-ens become more and more critical
and emancipated in defining their needs and /ishes' The trend of participator% planning and
governance as5s for a more interaction process /ith different actors' In an interactive process citi-ens
are enco$raged to pla% a more active role in the spatial planning process' This does not mean that
citi-ens onl% critici-e eisting plans, b$t that the% deliver ideas to contrib$te to the planning process'
In that sense, citi-ens are a so$rce of 5no/ledge and the% become responsible for the interactive
process !3delenbos and Monni5hof, 2001"' Involvement of citi-ens /ill rise /hen the% have thefeeling their !different" opinions are ac5no/ledged in the process'
&.1.! +$participation
In the c$rrent contet of IT development, internet is becoming an important part of the process of
comm$nication and $se of planning models' Traditional methods of involving the p$blic in the
planning process are $s$all% limited in their scope and effect and are often determined b% the
organisational str$ct$res /ithin a local planning a$thorit% !orester, 1@@@"' Internet developments, li5e
*eb 2'0 ma5e it possible for governments to $se their decisionma5ing processes for citi-ens to
participate over the internet, called eparticipation' 3participation has the potential to establish more
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transparenc% b% the government b% allo/ing citi-ens to $se ne/ channels of infl$ence that red$ce
barriers to p$blic participation in polic% ma5ing !+N 200?"' dvantages of eparticipation tools over
traditional participation tools are that comm$nication no longer is bo$nd to a specific location and a
specific time' ccording to a st$d% of Eoe5oe5 et al' !200@" eparticipation has the potential to involve
more citi-ens than traditional participation meetings do and seems to attract a different p$blic' $ser
friendl% application that offers t%pical normative and instr$mental participation f$nctions can be seen
as a precondition for an effective eparticipation pro6ect' In spatial planning geovis$ali-ation can be
$sed to s$pport the comm$nication and participation in the planning process, s$ch as in the planning
process of -oning plans' In a s$rve% of B$rgerverheid'nl !200" to stim$late the digital
government from the perspective of citi-ens, @=D of the respondents mention m$nicipalities sho$ld
place the -oning plans on the internet' $rthermore, =0D /o$ld li5e to have a voice in the -oning plan
via the internet' In 200 -oning plans /ere not %et re4$ired to be presented on the internet, this is the
case from 2010 !see chapter "' B% offering the -oning plans on the internet, people can get access to
-oning plans from their home and can vie/ the -oning plan at ever% time the% /o$ld li5e'
It can be concl$ded from this section that comm$nication has become an important iss$e in the
planning process and co$ld as /ell be for -oning plans' Geovis$ali-ations can be effective tools to
comm$nicate information to citi-ens, therefore the net section /ill foc$s on the topic of
geovis$ali-ation'
4.2 )eovisuali&ationIn this section geovis$ali-ation /ill be defined and important factors of geovis$ali-ation /ill be
eplained' $rthermore some frame/or5s of geovis$ali-ations /ill be disc$ssed and -oning plans /ill
be positioned in the frame/or5s'
&.!.1 0eoisualization defined
Geovis$ali-ation is concerned /ith the vis$ali-ation of geographical information' Geovis$ali-ation
provides theor%, methods and tools for the vis$al eploration, anal%sis, s%nthesis and presentation of
geospatial data !Mac3achren and Eraa5, 2001"' It is a relativel% ne/ and m$ltidisciplinar% field that
combines h$man vis$al potential and technolog% in order to ma5e spatial contets andor problems
visible !Mac3achren et al' 1@@@"' commonl% $sed definition for geovis$ali-ation is made b% Eraa5
!200":
JGeo0visuali*ations are visual geospatial displas designed to e)plore data and through that
e)ploration to generate hpotheses, develop prolem solutions and construct knowledge& 1aps and
other linked graphics pla a ke role in this process&2
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&%5es state that geovis$ali-ation is abo$t people, maps, process and the ac4$isition of information and
5no/ledge' It can lead to enlightenment, tho$ght, decisionma5ing and information satisfaction, b$t
can also res$lt in fr$stration !&%5es et al 200>"' The emphasis is on information insight for the f$rther
$se in spatial models $pon /hich decisions can be based'
In the net section important factors in geovis$ali-ation /ill be disc$ssed'
&.!.! The I2 factors of geoisualization
To create and $se geovis$ali-ations fo$r important factors can be named' These factors are:,
interaction, intelligence, information intensit%, and immersion of ob6ects !Mac3achren, 1@@@"'
The first factor is interaction' Interaction has a broad meaning and can simple be panning and -ooming
on a static map, $se of animations /ith a temporal dimension or more complicated interaction s$ch as
the abilit% of manip$lating data in a & environment, for eample pic5ing $p ob6ects !8loc$m, 2001"'
9an )ammeren and .ooger/erf !200" ma5e a distinction bet/een geovis$ali-ations /hich can
s$pport interaction in the virt$al environment and of the virt$al environment' Interactions in the
environment can be s$bdivided into: orientation, movement, navigation, manip$lation, eplanation
and elaboration' Interaction of the environment means that the $ser is able to define the vie/er settings
to infl$ence the /a% the environment is eperienced b% the $ser !Brin5 et al' 200="' nimations can be
part of interaction and can be ver% $sef$l in clarif%ing trends and processes as /ell as in eplaining
insight into spatial relationships !Eraa5 and rmeling, 200"' nimations can be interactive b%
moving a slider to sho/ for eample spatial patterns nimations can be divided into temporal and
nontemporal animations' *hen dealing /ith temporal animations, a direct relation eists bet/een
displa% time and /orld time, for eample vis$ali-ing spatial patterns of migrations over a certain
period of time' &ispla% time in nontemporal animations is not directl% lin5ed to /orld time, and is
$sed to eplain spatial relations b% presenting individ$al map images in a logical se4$ence !Eraa5 and
rmeling, 200"'
The second factor, intelligent ob6ects, is abo$t the etent to /hich components in the environment
/ith a certain behavio$r, /hich can be characteri-ed as Aintelligence !Mac3achren, 1@@@"' Batt% et al'
!1@@?" performed a st$d% /here comp$tational agents /ere $sed to model individ$al behavio$r in
$rban landscapes and ho/ it coincide /ith the behavio$r of $sers in the same environment' ther
eamples can be agents assisting in navigating thro$gh and $nderstanding virt$al landscapes
!Cart/right, 1@@@"' Intelligent ob6ects can also be in the form of avatars, moving cars, /al5ing
behavio$r of to$rists in a cit% centre'
Information intensit% deals /ith the level of detail of ob6ects /hich are represented in
geovis$ali-ations !Mac3achren, 1@@@"' Information intensit% is related to three factors: the soft/are
$sed, /hich determines the level of detail the ob6ects are vis$ali-ed, the geographical data $sed, /hich
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can differ in 4$alit%, etent andor resol$tion and thirdl% the person designing the vis$ali-ation and
the design is done, depending on the persons 5no/ledge, s5ills and eperience !van )ammeren et al'
200="' 8everal levels of detail can be defined !see fig$re 12"' )o&1 defines a b$ilding as a simple
bloc5 model and the most detailed )o&< allo/s for representation of the interior of b$ildings'
Nat$rall% resol$tion level is increase from )o&0 to )o&& level, over /hich an
aerial image or a map ma% be draped !GrKger et al', 200;"' )o&1 is a bloc5 model /itho$t an% roof
str$ct$res' b$ilding in )o&2 has a distinctive roof str$ct$re and larger b$ilding installations li5e
balconies and stairs' )o& contains architect$ral models /ith detailed /all and roof str$ct$res, doors
and /indo/s' )o&< adds more detail to an ob6ect b% adding interior str$ct$res, li5e rooms, stairs and
f$rnit$re'
5igure *'6Level of Detail (source CityGML, 2010
The fo$rth factor is immersion' Immersion can be defined as ALa ps%chological state characteri-ed b%
perceiving oneself to be enveloped b%, incl$ded in, and interacting /ith an environment that provides
a contino$s stim$li and eperiences !*itmer and 8inger 1@@?"' Mac3achren !1@@@" describes it as
Abeing in the virt$al environment' Immersion can be ph%sical !f$ll" or mental !partial" immersion'
Mental immersion is the state in /hich the h$man mind feels the presence of being in the virt$al/orld' 3amples of mental immersions are high resol$tion C#T screens and an eample of ph%sical
immersion is the C93 /here the $ser steps into a ph%sical room /ith digital screens /hich provides
a strong sense of immersion' Tho$gh a stronger sense of immersion co$ld lead to better perceived and
more effective geovis$ali-ations, cartograph% has been s$ccessf$l, especiall% since abstraction is
helpf$l to $nderstand the compleit% of the /orld !8loc$m et al', 2001"'
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&.!.3 0eoisualization fra-eor4s
Mac3achren !200
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nonimmersive half, in the frame/or5 represented as bl$e planes' The frame/or5 also incl$des
different comm$nication relationships: man% to man% !MM", one to man% !IM" and man%toone
!MN"'
Figure 14.#interaction communication protocol cube ("an ,ammeren et al& -).
&.!.& ,elating geoisualization fra-eor4s to zoning plansIn the frame/or5 of Mac3achren !200
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n attempt can be made to place this research /ithin the 3C c$be' -oning plan offered on the
internet is an eample of different time and different space slot' 7oning plans can be cons$lted at an%
given time and different place /ith internet' & -oning plan can be characteri-ed as nonimmersive,
since $sers are not being in the virt$al environment, /hich is more the case /ith a C93 /here $sers
have more the feeling being inside a virt$al environment' )oo5ing to the comm$nication mode, a
-oning plan is especiall% a 1N relationship, /here the -oning plan is presented on the internet b% the
m$nicipalit% as being the sender to the citi-ens and other actors, being the receiver' eedbac5 on the
-oning plan can be given, ho/ever ma5ing ob6ections on the -oning plan via the internet can c$rrentl%
not be done'
4.3 !patial interpretation of geovisuali&ations
ne of the challenges in geovis$ali-ation is that vis$ali-ations sho$ld be able to comm$nicate and be
$nderstandable for vario$s $sers' The acc$rac% of the vis$ali-ations, $nderstanding of the process of
vis$ali-ation and the 4$alit% of data are essential !T%rvainen et al' 200;"' The code of ethics 8heppard
!2001" presents general principles for optimal vis$ali-ations' This /ill be disc$ssed in this section'
&.3.1 (ser definition
The $se of geovis$ali-ation heavil% depends on the $ser and the p$rpose of the vis$ali-ation !Nielsen,
1@@"' This /ill have implications for the t%pe of modelling and degree of realism' .o/ever, 8loc$m
et al' !2001" note, A a clear specification of tas5s !and sometimes of $sers" is often not possible d$e to
the eplorator% and interactive nat$re of geovis$ali-ation' There have been some efforts to design
s%stems that address the eplicit needs of specific $ser t%pes and researchers have cond$cted a n$mber
of st$dies regarding the $sabilit% of geovis$ali-ation !$hrman et al', 200>"' ndrien5o et al' !200;"
for eample did a research to test the $sabilit% of interactive maps in CommonGI8 and the% fo$nd o$t
that $sers /ere able to $nderstand and adopt the ne/ ideas of map interactivit% and manip$labilit%,
ho/ever a clear introd$ction /as needed to ma5e the people $nderstand the p$rposes of the interactive
tools' Not onl% for the vis$ali-ation it is $nderstandable, also the interface for the geovis$ali-ation
pla%s an important role, since the interface transmits the vis$ali-ation to the $ser and determines ho/
the vis$ali-ation is perceived b% the $ser, /hich interaction and vis$ali-ation options the interface is
offering !)ammeren et al' 200="'
In spatial planning, $rban planners often gather aro$nd large paper or digital maps to disc$ss spatial
plans' These maps are also $sed for disc$ssions at meetings /ith citi-ens and organi-ations' In these
cases, m$ltiple $sers can be identified /ith different bac5gro$nds $sing the same maps'
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&.3.! 0eneral principles for the interpretation of geoisualizations
Geovis$ali-ations needs to be $nderstandable, sho/ credibilit% and sho$ld be biasfree !8heppard,
2001"' *ergles and M$har !200@" state that planners have to ta5e into acco$nt that Jaltho$gh
vis$ali-ations are not considered realit%, the% are regarded as a design commitment !p'1?2"' B% this
the% mean that the realit% /ill be compared to vis$ali-ations and a mismatch can lead to a feeling of
deceit' .o/ever, if vis$ali-ations are considered as a means of comm$nication instead of a realistic
representation of the real /orld, then leaving o$t some of the details are part of the Acode of non
verbal comm$nication' This of co$rse, has to be clearl% comm$nicated to the $ser !8heppard, 2001"'
More importance has to be p$t into matching vis$ali-ations /ith the comm$nication needs of the
targeted vie/ers !*ergles and M$har, 200@"' 8heppard !200>" s$ggests a code of ethics /hich sho$ld
be ta5en into acco$nt of landscape vis$ali-ations for a f$ll $nderstanding b% the $sers:
cc$rac%: 9is$alisations sho$ld sim$late the act$al or epected appearance of the landscape,
/itho$t distortion and at an appropriate level of abstractionrealism for the intended p$rpose'
#epresentativeness: 9is$alisations sho$ld represent t%pical or important vie/sconditions of
the landscape'
9is$al clarit%: The details, components, and overall content of the vis$alisation sho$ld be
clearl% comm$nicated'
Interest: 9is$alisations sho$ld engage and hold the interest of the a$dience'
)egitimac%: 9is$alisations sho$ld be defensible and their level of acc$rac% demonstrable'
ccess to vis$al information: 9is$alisations sho$ld be readil% accessible to the p$blic via a
variet% of formats and comm$nication channels'
raming and presentation: Important contet$al and other relevant information sho$ld be
presented in a clear, ne$tral fashion, along /ith the vis$alisation imager%'
cc$rac% has implications for the realism of the model' The third dimension creates ne/ 4$estions
abo$t elements that are insignificant for 2& representations' or eample, in 2& the s$rface represents
a b$ilding and no attention is paid to /indo/s, doors, roofs etc' In &, a b$ilding can be vis$ali-ed as
a simple bloc5 model, /ith roofs or /ith a /indo/s, doors, etc'' Th$s, in & significantl% more detail
and realism can be represented of ob6ects in comparison to 2& ob6ects' *ilson and McGa$ghe%
!2000"state that the lac5 of realism is in certain respects an advantage in not providing too precise an
image of the /orld' The abilit% to interpret comp$ter graphics correctl% is also believed to increase
thro$gh practice, altho$gh there appears to be /ide variation bet/een individ$als in the abilit% to
$nderstand s$ch images !ietsch, 2000"' high level of realism is re4$ired /ith nonprofessionals,especiall% /ith local residents in an $rban area !Ear6alainen and T%rvainen, 2002"' high degree of
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realism, ho/ever, is often perceived the same as a high degree of acc$rac% and a$thorit%, /hich is not
al/a%s the case !McO$illan, 1@@?"' *hen the act$al conse4$ences of a plan do not match the
vis$ali-ation, people become disappointed' lEodman% !1@@@" arg$es that photorealistic
vis$ali-ations can be effective tools to inform citi-ens and he arg$es that the reason is that these
vis$ali-ations are a ver% close representation of realit% and participants need little interpretation to
$nderstand this information' n the other hand, ppleton and )ovett !200" pa% attention to the fact
that high level of detail /ithin geovis$ali-ation ma% ca$se negative effects, li5e bias and
mis$nderstanding'
9is$al clarit% is also an important aspect of the ethics of vis$ali-ation named b% 8heppard !2001" and
/hich can have several iss$es, s$ch as the content choice, vie/point chosen and /eather and light
conditions' $rthermore, 8heppard and Ci-e5 !200@" state that the field of comp$ter vis$ali-ation is
especiall% technolog% driven, b$t iss$es /ith deep $nderstanding, tr$th and safe and more informed
decisions ma% not al/a%s solved b% the technolog% to establish a Agood vis$ali-ation'nother iss$e
of concerning vis$al clarit% is that $sers mention that the% feel lost in the environment' This has to do
/ith immersion, alread% mentioned in section
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9is$al clarit% is ver% important for -oning plans' 7oning plans are abstract plans, consisting of man%
!detailed" information and diffic$lt concepts' This ma5es a -oning plan diffic$lt to interpret, especiall%
for people not familiar $sing -oning plans' Therefore, a -oning plan sho$ld be clear and not sho/ing
more details than necessar% to ma5e it interpretable for the $ser'
The aspect of accessibilit% is also relevant for -oning plans, since it sho$ld be easil% accessible b%
citi-ens, /ith minimal hard and soft/are bo$ndaries, else it co$ld lead to lo/er accessibilit% and less
people are able to cons$lt the -oning plan on the internet'
In the net section the role of & geovis$ali-ation as a comm$nication tool in the planning process
/ill be disc$ssed and /ill be related to -oning plans'
4.4 3% geovisuali&ation as communication tool in the planningprocess
This section /ill disc$ss the role of & geovis$ali-ation in the planning process' Comm$nication is an
important aspect in this, since it can help citi-ens to better $nderstand and ma5e them more involved
in the planning process'
&.&.1 3D geoisualization as co--unication tool& geovis$ali-ation is a tool /hich can contrib$te to a better comm$nication bet/een professionals
and citi-ens' It offers ne/ possibilities for comm$nication of ideas and disc$ssion of design
alternatives' Bishop !1@@
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!ietsch, 2000" especiall% /hen comm$nicating /ith people less familiar /ith traditional vis$ali-ation
methods s$ch as plan vie/s, etc'
Nielsen !200>" states that & geovis$ali-ation can be easil% interpretable, highl% interactive and
distrib$table' 3speciall% d$e to the increasing compleit% of spatial planning iss$es and the increasing
demand of emancipated citi-ens for ta5ing part in designing and deciding on spatial plans, a 4$alit%
boost is needed in comm$nication processes bet/een governmental actors and citi-ens abo$t land $se'
& geovis$ali-ation can res$lt in that the citi-ens or actors become more involved in the planning
process, b% responding to the plan !thro$gh internet" and getting the feeling that the% are act$all%
contrib$ting to the process !lEodman%, 2002"'
&.&.! 3D geoisualization in the planning process
M$ch research has been done that disc$ss the gro/ing importance of comp$teraided vis$ali-ations inthe planning process' Elosterman !1@@=" states that vis$ali-ation has emerged as a AAcommon
c$rrenc% /hereb% citi-ens can readil% eval$ate the /or5 of the planners, and the opport$nities for
misinterpretations of information are red$ced'
)ange !2001" s$ggests that vis$ali-ations sho$ld form an integral part of the planning process'
*arrenEretschmar and .aaren !200>" report on the $se of vis$ali-ations thro$gho$t the landscape
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