Multidimensional Web GIS Approach for Citizen Participation on Urban Evolution

Abstract

Web-mapping has been widely used to facilitate citizen participation in smart cities. Web-mapping has evolved from 2D static maps towards more dynamic and immersive 3D worlds such as virtual globes and scenes. Although current technologies allow us to build multidimensional representations, there is still a lack of research studies on how to further leverage them to foster citizen participation. Information on space–time changes can be an important asset for a successful citizen participation process. Citizens may need to track the evolution of their city over space and time, and how their participation will impact the urban planning and decision-making process. Consequently, the main objective of this research study is to design and develop a multidimensional (2D, 3D, 4D) web-mapping platform where citizens can better assess and understand the spatiotemporal evolution of their cities. User testing was conducted to assess the multidimensional representation of the animations used, and the spatiotemporal mechanism and interface features. Results showed that it is recommended to integrate spatiotemporal simulations to citizen participation platforms so citizens can better assess the impacts of their choices. We also assessed that 3D does not always communicate information better than 2D. Future work will aim at testing the platform in a consultation process with a representative sample of participants.

Near Real-Time Semantic View Analysis of 3D City Models in Web Browser

“…In practice, this could be realized via the integration of the analysis tool with the existing 3D city model application development platforms, such as CesiumJS [75]. This way, the view analysis could become a complementary tool for processes that currently leverage the 3D city models on these platforms, such as participatory urban planning [76,77]. Finally, as the open data sets get richer, e.g., in terms of 3D green infrastructure data [78], the CityGML based urban view analyses could be utilized up to their full potential.…”

Participatory Rural Spatial Planning Based on a Virtual Globe-Based 3D PGIS

“…Participatory GIS (PGIS), therefore, was then proposed to bridge the gap between participatory planning and GIS using a simplified graphical user interface (GUI) [28]. The advancement of web-based GIS is leading PGIS implementation in a web-based framework (Web-PGIS), allowing even more nonprofessionals to participate in spatial planning processes and anonymously express their views [30,31].…”

“…However, the 2D maps and images used in traditional GIS and web GIS are insufficient to provide the public with an intuitive visualization environment. Studies have shown that 3D visualization can facilitate public participation in planning (see, for example, Lovett, et al [24], Lafrance, et al [30], Howard and Gaborit [32] and Lloret et al [33]). Various 3D visualization technologies have been applied to support participation in spatial planning such as visual reality (VR) [27,34], Java 3D [35], virtual reality markup language (VRML) [36,37], the Extensible 3D (X3D) X3D [38], keyhole markup language (KML) [39], and virtual globe-based 3D online visualization [40].…”

“…As a result of their continuous development, virtual globes now have been applied for presenting global geospatial data for public accessing as well as for scientific research and commercial usage in various fields (for example, Huang [35], Wu, et al [40], Zheng, et al [41] and Yu and Gong [42]). Virtual globe technology is suitable for creating a 3D environment for public participation [18,30,40]. However, participatory rural planning requires face-to-face interactions, not the online model used in urban planning, as local rural inhabitants in China are usually unfamiliar with computers and have little planning knowledge.…”

Multidimensional and Multiscale GIS

“…The last two papers on urban data provide a web GIS for handling and disseminating multidimensional data. The web GIS in [4] models the spatiotemporal evolution of a city in four dimensions. The platform provides dynamic 3D city models that are used to promote citizen participation by letting them visualize and assess different scenarios.…”