SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL
SITE SUITABILITY
Developable Land
NON-NEGIOTABLE CONSTRAINTS
100-yr Flood
Skylines Slope Gas/Oil wells Geology Wildfire Wildlife
Water Features Gas/Oil wells
NEGOTIABLE CONSTRAINTSMore Important Less Important
Wei
ghte
d Av
erag
eD
evel
opm
ent
Mas
k
Composite
Setting the Constraint Threshold
IMPACT ANALYSIS
VISIBLE RIDGELINE ANALYSIS
Hillside and ridgeline preservation is an important planning issue in communities where scenic beauty and landscape integrity are valued. Current GIS tools can easily map visible hillsides and viewsheds, but mapping the actual ridgelines, where the visible areas meet the sky, is more elusive. TerraCognito has created an automated ModelBuilder tool and Python script for mapping visible ridgelines, adding more functionality to conventional viewshed analysis. Ridgeline analysis is particularly useful in siting developments, facilities and equipment in visually sensitive areas.
Observer
View planeViewshed Analysis
3D ViewPlan View
Observer
View planeViewshed Analysis
3D ViewPlan View
Observer
View planeVisible Ridgelines Analysis
3D ViewPlan View
COST-DISTANCE MAPPING
Cost-distance mapping forms the basis for many of our spatial models including the proximity and travel time component of our development preference mapping process, as well as the trip distance component of our greenhouse gas emissions model.
COMMUNITY PREFERENCE MAPPINGTerraCognito GIS has developed a powerful planning approach that objectively maps the values of citizens and stakeholders regarding land development and land preservation. Survey results, keypad polling and other collaborative information sources are analyzed and mapped to build consensus amongst various stakeholders.
Key Benefits: Driven directly by values
and preferences Driven by local geography Not limited by hard land
use polygons Objective Repeatable Transparent Defensible
STRUCTURES
Architectural Models TerraCognito specializes in creating 3D models representing terrain, buildings, landforms and other features that play an important visual role in planning. From simple massing to photo-real architectural models, TerraCognito can create realistic models for regional and site-specific projects.
TERRAIN & LANDFORMS
GIS-Driven 3D Visualization Not just “pretty pictures,” TerraCognito’s 3D visualizations are GIS-driven, using scientific and technical information to create accurate, realistic models and landscapes. These can better inform stakeholders and allow for better management and land use decisions.
Tree Species, Density & Height GIS Data
Tree Photos
Forest ModelOrtho-photo Drape
Terrain Model
Landscape Visualization
SITE PLANNINGVisualizing the Future TerraCognito transforms 2-dimensional site plans and land use plans into compelling 3D representations of future growth. This improves public understanding and builds consensus amongst stakeholders, ultimately streamlining the public approval process.
Street level view
Plan at build-outExisting conditions
Roof top view
Alternative BAlternative A Alternative CExisting conditions
SITE PLANNINGVisualizing the Future TerraCognito transforms 2-dimensional site plans and land use plans into compelling 3-dimensional representations of future growth. This improves public understanding and builds consensus amongst stakeholders, ultimately streamlining the public approval process.
Eagle County Build-Out Analysis and Visualization, 2008-2010Client: Eagle County, Colorado TerraCognito worked directly with Eagle County, Colorado and the municipalities of Avon, Basalt, Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Red Cliff and Vail to perform a county-wide spatial-temporal build-out analysis and 3D visualization. Using ArcGIS and CommunityViz, a detailed existing conditions analysis of dwelling units was performed based on assessor and census data, followed by a numeric, spatial and visual build-out analysis of existing zoning as well potential future land use described in the municipalities’ Master Plans. An elaborate visioning exercise was implemented for the unincorporated county using multi-criteria analysis and preference mapping to drive future growth scenarios. Later phases of work included an economic component including a commercial build-out analysis, existing jobs distribution, future jobs allocation and impact analysis. Finally, the results were delivered in Google Earth format for viewing by the both the planners and the public.
GROWTH MODELING/IMPACT ANALYSIS
Customized Google Earth VisualizationDevelopment Preference Model
Impact Analysis Animation (1970-2051)
REGIONAL PLANNINGGrowth AnimationsBy matching land supply with the development demand, Terra Cognito creates 4-dimensional depictions of future land use alternatives as they develop over several decades.
Customized Google Earth Growth Animation
phasing
demand
supply
land use allocation
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Branson Comprehensive Plan, 2010-2011Client: City of Branson, MO and Design Workshop Inc. TerraCognito provided key analytical and mapping support in creating Branson, Missouri’s comprehensive plan. A detailed existing land use inventory was created and used as an essential input in a parcel-level build-out analysis which identified opportunities for in-fill and redevelopment. Multi-criteria suitability analysis coupled with future demand scenarios and stakeholder preferences enabled the creation of several future land use plans. Impact analysis was conducted on the land use scenarios including multiple indicators ranging from jobs, wages, and housing affordability, to visible hillside preservation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Future Jobs & Housing Animation (2011-2060)
DAM REMOVAL VISUALIZATIONElwha River Dam Removal VisualizationAmerican Rivers hired TerraCognito GIS to visually model two proposed dam removals on the Elwha River in Washington’s Olympic National Park. TerraCognito created interactive, photo-realistic, 3D visualization of existing conditions, as well as various stages of dam removal, including draw-down, riverbed restoration, and re-vegetation. The visualizations were used extensively by American Rivers throughout the settlement negotiation process and in meetings with legislators, ultimately resulting in the impending removal of the Glines Canyon and Elwha dams. Commencing in 2011, the dismantling of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams will allow the river to flow freely for the first time in 100 years, restoring over 70 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat.
Existing conditions Dam removal / Reservoir draw down Restored river channel
random color ramp
hillshade raster
photo-real sediment texture
Cost-Benefit Model
WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Landscape Visualization of Forest Treatment
Ray Mesa Wildfire MitigationThe Bureau of Land Management's Moab, Utah Field Office hired Lex Ivey to model fire hazard mitigation for a NEPA Environmental Analysis, examining the effectiveness of various treatment alternatives, as well as their associated fiscal, socioeconomic, and visual impacts. The consultant defined and weighted several criteria to identify areas that would benefit most from fire mitigation practices. By embedding fuel model data formulated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) into the model, the consultant was able to compare current fuel loads in the forest with those that would remain after various types of treatments, such as prescribed burning and mechanical and manual thinning. The model allowed the BLM to measure the effectiveness and cost of the various treatment types, as well as the contribution to the local economy in terms of contract labor. The visual impacts of each fire treatment alternative could also be seen in a regional, photo-realistic 3D visualization. The methods, results, methods, and discussion culminated in a satellite television broadcast to all BLM offices across the nation.
DAM REMOVAL VISUALIZATIONKlamath River Dam Removal VisualizationAmerican Rivers hired TerraCognito GIS to visually model two proposed dam removals on the Klamath River in California. Interactive, real-time, 3D visualization of existing conditions were created, as well as various stages of dam removal, including draw-down, riverbed restoration, and re-vegetation.The visualizations were used extensively by American Rivers throughout the settlement negotiation process and in meetings with legislators, and in “inspiring” potential funders who may be called upon to help with the costs of restoration.In November 2008 PacifiCorp (power company), the federal government, and the states of California and Oregon signed an Agreement in Principle stating that the benefits of dam removal outweigh the potential costs and impacts.
Existing conditions Dam removal / Reservoir draw down Restored river channel
hillshade
photo-real restoration texture
elevation
aspect
slope
NATURAL HAZARD/RISK MODELING
Squamish Natural Hazard/Risk CharacterizationThe Geologic Survey of Canada hired TerraCognito GIS to model a variety of natural hazards and their imposed risk for Squamish, British Columbia. LIDAR Data, Satellite Imagery, Assessor’s records, and detailed geophysical data were compiled into CommunityViz to create a dynamic, interactive hazard/risk characterization tool that modeled future residential and commercial growth scenarios in the context of risk. Potential loss from flood, debris flow and sea level rise scenarios were analyzed and visualized to compare and contrast mitigation measures versus relocation of personal property.
Land Use Allocation Model
Landscape Visualization of Debris Flow and Future Growth Scenario
FLOOD HAZARD/RISK MODELING
Kaycee Flood Risk AssessmentThe Natural Resource Conservation Service hired TerraCognito GIS to model flood hazard and risk for Kaycee, Wyoming. LIDAR Data, Satellite Imagery, Assessor’s records, and detailed flood survey data derived from HEC-RAS were compiled into CommunityViz to create a dynamic, interactive hazard/risk characterization tool. Potential loss from three flood scenarios were analyzed and visualized to compare and contrast flood mitigation measures versus relocation of personal property.
Hazard/Risk Assessment Model
Normal Conditions
10-year Flood
50-year Flood
100-year Flood
CUSTOM CARTOGRAPHY
Accounts for land cover, elevation impassable barriers,
and slope effects on walking speed
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