Visualizing a Possible Future: Map Guidelines for a 3D Detailed Development Plan

Abstract

AbstractDetailed development plans (DDPs) legally define what can be built on a specific property. A proper visualization of these plans is important to facilitate public participation in the urban planning process. In most countries, visualizations of DDPs are still in the form of static 2D maps, but there is a movement towards 3D interactive maps. This movement could potentially benefit public participation by improving communication of the plan proposal, but it also raises issues concerning the cartographic design. A challenge is that a DDP visualization does not convey what will be built in an area, but rather what could be built within the legal frame of the DDP. This implies that the uncertainty in the cartographic design needs to be addressed. In this study, we develop (based on literature review) and implement preliminary guidelines of a 3D DDP visualization, including interactivity possibilities to explicitly address the issue of uncertainty in DDP visualization. The preliminary guidelines are evaluated by semi-structured interviews with urban planning professionals, and based on the outcome of these interviews, the guidelines are updated. The movement toward 3D DDP visualizations was stressed by the participants as important for improving the public understanding and participation in the urban planning process, when the appropriate cartography and functionality is applied.