A three dimensional environment of Niagara region created for better visualization to assist communication during policy making.

The project is also developed as the fundamental of further spatial analytical applications, including land assessment, modular policy impact prediction, as well as urban designing/architectural review.

The project includes local road network, zoning by-law & official plan land use designation, existing buildings and proposed/approved developments. A preview of a section of the project is provided.

The project is made in SketchUp with a number of plug-ins, most importantly SU modular and SU Placemaker. Future development of the project can be realized with Google Earth (Streetscape analysis), ESIR City engine (Rule-based modelling) and Blender (integrating 3D mesh). Some proof of concept is included below.