glasgow.gov.uk

Urban Model

What is it?

Glasgow Urban Model is a 3D digital representation of the City Centre and River Clyde corridor. The model can be viewed online in two versions:

Photo realistic detail (+/- 20 cm accuracy)
Block detail (+/- 0,50m accuracy)

Glasgow City Council is looking to procure an extension of the 3D model area soon. Please check this page for future updates or contact us for more information on this.

What are the Project Objectives?

The project responds to the Scottish Executive vision for delivering services that are fit for the 21st century. The primary objectives of the project are:

To enhance the understanding of the built environment through the use of a 3D photo realistic representation of the city;
To improve the communication and consultation process within the planning system;
To provide a highly accurate visual tool in 3D to assist in the assessment of new development proposals to the public, elected members and planning officers alike;
To promote and showcase the regeneration of Glasgow; and
To improve the quality of all new developments on the ground.

How the Urban Model is being Used

The Urban Model data is currently being used by the AAIB team (Air Accidents Investigation Branch/Department for Transport) to assist the on-going investigation of the helicopter crash that occurred at the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow on 29 November 2013.

See below some examples of how the Glasgow Urban Model is currently being used in liaison with the private sector for new city developments.

110 Queen Street as existing	110 Queen Street as proposed
110 Queen Street as existing	110 Queen Street as proposed
Mixed-use development to comprise 18, 227 square metres of shop, offices and restaurant floor space including mezzanine space.
	The New Campus Glasgow is a project that will create a new city centre learning quarter and bring together Glasgow's three city centre colleges to deliver world class learning on a shared super campus - Central College Glasgow, Glasgow Metropolitan and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.
	George Square example of flood testing.

How to Licence Data?

In 2009 Development and Regeneration Services launched the Urban Model Licence that allows third parties to acquire the original 3D Data from the Council.

Anyone can licence the Urban Model data. The Licence Agreement is prepared by Glasgow City Council in liaison with the licensee and any fee is calculated by the sqm.

(*) This is a standard Licence Agreement, each agreement will be prepared ad hoc with the licensee.

If you wish to enquire about how to go about licensing a specific area included in the City Model or for further information relating to fees please contact us at Development and Regeneration Services.

How it Works?

The link below will download the Urban Model in block version. Click on the banners, as shown on the screen, to access the photo realistic version of the model of the area in question. Please remember to be patient while downloading these files, as the amount of data being streamed is considerable.

You can navigate through the area by using the joystick on the top right hand corner of the screen.

View The Urban Model

You will require the latest version of TerraExplorer Viewer v6.6.1. This is a piece of free software available from Skyline Globe.

You will require a PC with the appropriate level of memory, graphics capability and internet connection. Full system requirements are set out below.

For Apple Mac users: We apologies for being unable to provide access to the model for Mac users.

What are the System Requirements?

The system requirements for TerraExplorer Plugin are:

Operating System - Windows NT/2000/Me/XP
System Memory - 1GB RAM (1GB or more recommended)
Video Card - 64MB of memory (128MB or more recommended)
Internet Connection - 1MB or more Broadband connection.
Browser - Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher should be installed on machine.

Please be aware that due to the large file size it may take several minutes to download all of the model.

Please be patient - you are downloading large files.

Events and Awards

Events

The Urban Model has been showcased and presented at the following events:

17-18 June 2010 - Politecnico di Milano - "Exploring Urban Change through visual and environmental simulations" International Seminar
22-23 April 2009 - Glasgow - "Digital Documentation Conference" organised by Digital Design Studio and Historic Scotland.
15-18 October 2008 - Rostov-On-Don, Russia - "The Construction-Architecture Forum."
11-14 September 2008 - Venice, Biennale di Architettura

Awards

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2009, Winner of the Development Management Award.
July 2009 - APSE Awards, Best Information and Communication Technology Initiative (Finalist).
22 September 2007 - Winner of the Merchant City Festival Award for Innovation Specialising in Interactive Media, at the BAFTA Scotland night.