Communicating location-specific information to pedestrians is a challenging task which can be aided by user-friendly digital technologies. In this paper, landmark visibility analysis, as a means for developing more usable pedestrian navigation systems, is discussed. Using an algorithmic framework for image-based 3D analysis, this method integrates a 3D city model with identified landmarks and produces raster visibility layers for each one. This output enables an Android phone prototype application to indicate the visibility of landmarks from the user's actual position. Tested in the field, the method achieves sufficient accuracy for the context of use and improves navigation efficiency and effectiveness.2. Landmark visibility. 3. User-centred design. 4. Usability testing.

Immersive visualization offers an intuitive access to and an effective way of realizing, exploring, and analyzing virtual 3D city models, which are essential tools for effective communication and management of complex urban spatial information in e-planning. In particular, immersive visualization allows for simulating planning scenarios and to receive a close-to-reality impression by both non-expert and expert stakeholders. This contribution is concerned with the main requirements and technical concepts of a system for visualizing virtual 3D city models in large-scale, fully immersive environments. It allows stakeholders ranging from citizens to decision-makers to explore and examine the virtual 3D city model and embedded planning models “in situ.” Fully immersive environments involve a number of specific requirements for both hardware and 3D rendering including enhanced 3D rendering techniques, an immersion-aware, autonomous, and assistive 3D camera system, and a synthetic, immersion-supporting soundscape. Based on these requirements, the authors have implemented a prototypical visualization system that the authors present in this article. The characteristics of fully immersive visualization enable a number of new applications within e-planning workflows and processes, in particular, with respect to public participation, decision support, and location marketing.

Virtual 3D city models are essential visualization tools for effective communication of complex urban spatial information. Immersive visualization of virtual 3D city models offers an intuitive access to and an effective way of realization of urban spatial information, enabling new collaborative applications and decision-support systems. This paper discusses techniques for and usage of fully immersive environments for visualizing virtual 3D city models by advanced 3D rendering techniques. Fully immersive environments imply a number of specific requirements for both hardware and software, which are discussed in detail. Further, we identify and outline conceptual and technical challenges as well as possible solution approaches by visualization system prototypes for large-scale, fully immersive environments. We evaluate the presented concepts using two application examples and discuss the results.