Collaborative web-based 3D masterplanning

This paper describes an approach to empowering heterogeneous groups of people to share the tasks of digitising and updating buildings that may convey a credible sense of presence. We argue that more effective tools are required to clearly display alternative and ad-hoc local planning proposals in web based interactive 3D, free at the point of access. Initial workshops have shown that such tools are only likely to be used if those so doing can influence the outcome. Consensus needs to be obtained among a broad group to exert strong influence. Tools are therefore needed to share concerns, examine alternatives, and propose solutions through collaborative citizen based proposals, examination and discussion. Consequently the VEPs Interreg project has been examining how to optimise shared web based collaborative digital 3D modelling and discussion, focused on urban and rural environments, where the increasing availability of LiDAR laser scanning offers appropriately accurate remote sensed data.