CityScope Platform for Real-Time Analysis and Decision-Support in Urban Design Competitions

Jesús López Baeza,Jürgen Bruns-Berentelg,Philipp Preuner,Ariel Noyman,Jonas Luft,Julia L Sievert,Joerg Rainer Noennig,André Landwehr

doi:10.4018/ijepr.20211001.oa8

Abstract

This paper presents a digital online tool and interaction process that supplies algorithmic analysis and predictive simulation for early-stage urban design proposals within the framework of public competitions. Specifically, the system supports the decision-making of two user groups: 1) planners in the process of developing urban designs proposals and 2) competition juries in evaluating those proposals. The system provides instant assessment of the design solutions' environmental and spatial impact regarding selected target criteria such as noise propagation or pedestrian accessibility. Enabling the easy testing of functional programs and the identification of feasible trade-offs between multiple design targets, the system supports rapid design iterations as well as the objective evaluation of proposals. Applied for the first time within an innovative tender format for a new residential and business district in Hamburg, Germany, the new toolset paves the way towards a more holistic and interactive form of sustainable urban design.

Highlights

Urban design and development projects evolve through a complex and lengthy process
This paper presents ongoing research and innovation cooperation aiming for a novel methodology for urban design competitions, with the goal of providing real-time analysis and instant decision support
While Burian et al.’s Urban Planner is adapted to the specificity of their research and works at a small scale, the CityScope analytic modules described in this paper aims at a micro-scale approach and a replicable methodology

Summary

Introduction

From project initiation via stages of public deliberation and tendering up to the physical execution of urban and architectural designs, a multitude of stakeholders, functional requirements, and target criteria need to be coordinated and harmonised (Alexander & Witzling, 1990). Addressing planning offices participating in urban design competitions, the presented tool and methodology help to visualize quickly and in detail selected key performance indicators of design proposals while they are being generated, or already submitted

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Conclusion