The use of 3D geovisualisations for urban design : the case of informal settlement upgrading in South Africa

Informal settlements are a common occurrence in South African due to housing backlogs and shortage of housing subsidies, and are often located on disputed land. To improve in-situ circumstances of these communities, informal settlement upgrades and urban design is required. Spatial data and maps are essential throughout the entire upgrading and urban design process in order to understand the current environment, plan new developments and communicate planned developments. All stakeholders need to understand maps to ensure active participation in the urban design process. Previous research demonstrated that a large number of planning professionals in South Africa have a relatively low level of map literacy, which is considered to be inadequate for effective planning. Many researchers proclaimed that because 3D visualisations resemble the real environment more than traditional maps, and are more intuitive, therefore 3D geovisualisations are easier to interpret. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of 3D geovisualisations (specifically 3D city models) for urban design in informal settlement upgrading in South Africa. To achieve this goal, the following topics were investigated: modelling processes (manual and procedural); visual design (visual characteristics, visual complexity and visual variables); and cognition related to spatial tasks on 3D geovisualisations and comparable alternatives (i.e. topographic maps, aerial photographs, 2D maps) when performing basic map reading tasks. Procedural modelling was found to be a feasible alternative to time-consuming manual modelling and has the capabilities to produce high-quality models. When investigating the visual design, the visualisation characteristics of 3D models of informal settlements, and relevance of a subset of visual variables for urban design activities of informal settlement upgrades were assessed. The results were used to produce various maps and 3D geovisualisations that were presented in quantitative user studies and expert interviews. The results of four user studies and expert interviews contributed to understanding the impact of various levels of complexity in 3D city models and map literacy of future geoinformatics and planning professionals when using aerial photographs, 2D maps and 3D models. The research results could assist planners in designing suitable 3D models for use throughout the entire urban design process.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Coetzee, Serena Martha

• Geoinformatics
• Urban design
• Geovisualisation
• Informal settlements
• Map reading
• UCTD

Statement dc:rights

• © 2017 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.

Dc Identifier Other

A2017

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/60016