Abstract
Virtual globes, i.e., geobrowsers that integrate multi-scale and temporal data from various sources and are based on a globe metaphor, have developed into serious tools that practitioners and various stakeholders in landscape and community planning have started using. Although these tools originate from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), they have become a different, potentially interactive and public tool set, with their own specific limitations and new opportunities. Expectations regarding their utility as planning and community engagement tools are high, but are tempered by both technical limitations and ethical issues [1,2]. Two grassroots campaigns and a collaborative visioning process, the Kimberley Climate Adaptation Project case study (British Columbia), illustrate and broaden our understanding of the potential benefits and limitations associated with the use of virtual globes in participatory planning initiatives. Based on observations, questionnaires and in-depth interviews with stakeholders and community members using an interactive 3D model of regional climate change vulnerabilities, potential impacts, and possible adaptation and mitigation scenarios in Kimberley, the benefits and limitations of virtual globes as a tool for participatory landscape planning are discussed. The findings suggest that virtual globes can facilitate access to geospatial information, raise awareness, and provide a more representative virtual landscape than static visualizations. However, landscape is not equally representative at all scales, and not all types of users seem to benefit equally from the tool. The risks of misinterpretation can be managed by integrating the application and interpretation of virtual globes into face-to-face planning processes.
Highlights
In 1998, Al Gore presented the vision of a ―Digital Earth‖ embedding geo-referenced data in a multi-resolution, three-dimensional representation of the Earth, facilitating collaboration to understand the interaction between human impacts and the environment [3]
The Texada Island example points to a need for further research on actual decision-making outcomes resulting from the application of landscape visualization in virtual globes
West End Neighbours (WEN) questioned the selection of view corridors that determine the new maximum heights for future development
Summary
In 1998, Al Gore presented the vision of a ―Digital Earth‖ embedding geo-referenced data in a multi-resolution, three-dimensional representation of the Earth, facilitating collaboration to understand the interaction between human impacts and the environment [3]. Virtual globes can be defined as geobrowsers, based on a globe metaphor, that integrate multi-scale and multi-temporal data from various sources They have become a popular tool, and expectations regarding their utility as planning and community engagement tools are high, but are tempered by both technical limitations and ethical issues [1,2,4]. In May 2009, Lehigh Northwest Cement applied to the provincial government to build a quarry and barge loading facility in Davie Bay, Texada Island, British Columbia, with plans to extract 240,000 tonnes of limestone per year. This is 10,000 tonnes less than the 250,000 tonnes per year that trigger an environmental assessment under British Columbia legislation [32]. WEN questioned the selection of view corridors that determine the new maximum heights for future development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
