Plan for Capacity Building

150 Pages·2010·1.76 MB·English

P C B U 3-D
LAN FOR APACITY UILDING SING
M & P D
ODELING LANNING ECISION
S S
UPPORT YSTEMS
V 1: R
OLUME EPORT
For Prince George’s County Planning Department

Submitted by: The Environmental Simulation Center (October 18, 2010)
This Page is Intentionally Left Blank
October 18, 2010

VOLUME ONE: REPORT

P C B
LAN FOR APACITY UILDING
U 3D M &
SING ODELING
P D S S
LANNING ECISION UPPORT YSTEMS

for the
Prince George’s County Planning Department
on behalf of
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

The Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
150 West 22nd Street; 4th Floor
New York, NY 10011
www.simcenter.org

Contact:
Michael Kwartler, FAIA
[phone]
[email protected]
This Page is Intentionally Left Blank
Table of Contents

1.0 Executive Summary .........................................................................................................................1
1.1 The Challenges...................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Recommendations for Building Capacity ..........................................................................................3
1.2.1 Institutionalizing Technology .................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.2 Recommendations to Institutionalize the Tool Selection, Implementation, Application, and Capacity-Building
Process ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.3 Additional Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................10
2.0 Overview .........................................................................................................................................11
2.1 Background ......................................................................................................................................11
2.2 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................13
2.2.1 Task 1: Project Kickoff ............................................................................................................................................ 13
2.2.2 Task 2: National Survey of Planning Agencies ....................................................................................................... 13
2.2.3 Task 3: Tools Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.4 Task 4: Needs Assessment ...................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.5 Task 4.5: Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.6 Task 5: Data, Staffing, Software & Hardware Requirements .................................................................................. 15
2.2.7 Task 6: Final Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 15
2.3 Overview: Planning Department Organization and General Responsibilities .................................16
2.4 Tools Overview ................................................................................................................................18
3.0 National Survey of Planning Departments ..................................................................................23
3.1 Background and Methodology .........................................................................................................23
3.1.1 Online Survey .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
3.1.2 Agency Interviews ................................................................................................................................................... 24
3.2 Agency Survey Results ....................................................................................................................26
3.3 Profiles of Agencies Interviewed .....................................................................................................27
3.3.1 Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) – Chicago, IL ...................................................................... 28
3.3.2 District of Columbia Office of Planning (DCOP) – Washington, DC ..................................................................... 30
3.3.3 Gosford City Council – Gosford, Australia ............................................................................................................. 31
3.3.4 Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) – Boston, MA ................................................................................. 32
3.3.5 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Montgomery County Planning
Department – Montgomery County, MD ................................................................................................................. 33
3.3.6 Portland Bureau of Planning – Portland, OR ........................................................................................................... 34
3.3.7 Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) – Seattle, WA ........................................................................................... 35
3.3.8 San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) – San Diego, CA .................................................................. 36
3.3.9 Steamboat Springs Planning Department – Steamboat Springs, CO ....................................................................... 37
3.3.10 Vancouver Community Services Department – Vancouver, BC (Canada) .............................................................. 38
3.4 Agency Interviews: Overall Findings ..............................................................................................39
3.5 Agency Interviews: Tool-Specific Findings ....................................................................................59
3.5.1 Real-time 3D viewers .............................................................................................................................................. 60
3.5.1.1 ArcGIS Explorer ........................................................................................................................................ 60
3.5.1.2 Bing ............................................................................................................................................................ 60
PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING USING 3D MODELING & PLANNING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS 10/18/2010 i
for the Prince George’s County Planning Department

© Copyright 2010 Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
3.5.1.3 Google Earth .............................................................................................................................................. 61
3.5.1.4 Pictometry .................................................................................................................................................. 62
3.5.1.5 Simurban (Simmersion) ............................................................................................................................. 62
3.5.1.6 Skyline (Terra Explorer) ............................................................................................................................ 64
3.5.1.7 Vizhen (Winston Associates) ..................................................................................................................... 64
3.5.2 3D Modeling Tools .................................................................................................................................................. 65
3.5.2.1 3DS Max .................................................................................................................................................... 65
3.5.2.2 AutoCAD ................................................................................................................................................... 66
3.5.2.3 Google SketchUp ....................................................................................................................................... 66
3.5.2.4 MultiGen / Paradigm .................................................................................................................................. 68
3.5.2.5 Rhino .......................................................................................................................................................... 69
3.5.3 3D GIS Tools ........................................................................................................................................................... 69
3.5.3.1 ArcGIS 3D Analyst .................................................................................................................................... 69
3.5.3.2 AutoCAD Map 3D ..................................................................................................................................... 70
3.5.3.3 CommunityViz® - Scenario3D ................................................................................................................... 71
3.5.4 Planning Decision Support Tools ............................................................................................................................ 71
3.5.4.1 CommunityViz® - Scenario 360 ................................................................................................................. 71
3.5.4.2 INDEX ....................................................................................................................................................... 73
3.5.4.3 I-Place3s ..................................................................................................................................................... 74
3.5.4.4 MetroQuest ................................................................................................................................................ 75
3.5.4.5 Model Builder (Fregonese Associates) ...................................................................................................... 76
3.5.4.6 Return on Investment Model (Fregonese Associates) ................................................................................ 76
3.5.5 Social Media / Mobile Technology Tools ................................................................................................................ 77
3.5.5.1 Keypad Polling........................................................................................................................................... 77
3.5.5.2 Second Life (Hybrid 3D Modeler and Viewer) ......................................................................................... 77
3.5.5.3 Smart Phones ............................................................................................................................................. 78
3.6 Agency Interviews: Future Directions .............................................................................................78
3.6.1 Potential Tools of the Future .................................................................................................................................... 78
3.6.2 Emerging Trends and Industry Developments ......................................................................................................... 79
4.0 Tools Evaluation.............................................................................................................................81
4.1 Planning Activity Use Cases ............................................................................................................81
4.1.1 How the Use Cases Were Developed....................................................................................................................... 81
4.1.2 Final Planning Activity Use Cases ........................................................................................................................... 82
4.2 Summary Matrix: Tools Evaluated by Planning Activities ............................................................85
4.3 Real-time 3D Viewers......................................................................................................................86
4.3.1 Tools Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 86
4.3.1.1 ArcGIS Explorer (ESRI) ............................................................................................................................ 87
4.3.1.2 Bing Maps 3D (Microsoft) ......................................................................................................................... 88
4.3.1.3 Google Earth/Google Earth Pro (Google) .................................................................................................. 90
4.3.1.4 Simurban World Simulator & Environment Editor (Simmersion) ............................................................. 92
4.3.1.5 Skyline TerraExplorer & TerraBuilder (Skyline) ...................................................................................... 93
4.3.2 Comparative Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................... 96
4.4 3D Modeling Tools ..........................................................................................................................98
4.4.1 Tools Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 98
4.4.1.1 3DS Max (Autodesk) ................................................................................................................................. 99
4.4.1.2 ArchiCAD (Graphisoft) ........................................................................................................................... 101
4.4.1.3 AutoCAD (Autodesk) .............................................................................................................................. 103
4.4.1.4 Google SketchUp/SketchUp Pro .............................................................................................................. 104
4.4.1.5 Microstation (Bentley) ............................................................................................................................. 107
4.4.1.6 Vectorworks (Nemetschek) ...................................................................................................................... 108
4.4.2 Comparative Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 111
ii 10/18/2010 PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING USING 3D MODELING & PLANNING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
for the Prince George’s County Planning Department
© Copyright 2010 Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
4.5 3D GIS Tools .................................................................................................................................113
4.5.1 Tools Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... 113
4.5.1.1 ArcGIS 3D Analyst (ESRI) ...................................................................................................................... 115
4.5.1.2 AutoCAD Map 3D ................................................................................................................................... 116
4.5.1.3 CommunityViz® – Scenario 3D (Placeways) ........................................................................................... 117
4.5.2 Comparative Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 120
4.6 Planning Decision Support Tools ..................................................................................................122
4.6.1 Tools Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... 122
4.6.1.1 ArcGIS (ESRI) ......................................................................................................................................... 123
4.6.1.2 ArcGIS Spatial Analyst ............................................................................................................................ 125
4.6.1.3 CommunityViz® – Scenario 360 (Placeways) .......................................................................................... 126
4.6.1.4 INDEX (Criterion Planners) .................................................................................................................... 130
4.6.1.5 I-PLACE3S .............................................................................................................................................. 132
4.6.1.6 MetroQuest .............................................................................................................................................. 135
4.6.2 Comparative Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 138
5.0 Needs Assessment .........................................................................................................................141
5.1 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................141
5.1.1 Interview Preparation ............................................................................................................................................. 141
5.1.2 Staff Interviews ...................................................................................................................................................... 142
5.1.3 Post-interview Evaluation ...................................................................................................................................... 144
5.2 Summary of Findings: Technical Capacity....................................................................................145
5.2.1 Technical Capacity: GIS ....................................................................................................................................... 145
5.2.2 Technical Capacity: 3D Simulation and Modeling Tools ..................................................................................... 148
5.2.3 Technical Capacity: Other Software Tools ........................................................................................................... 149
5.2.4 Technical Capacity: Alternative Scenario Analysis and Planning Decision Support Tools ................................. 150
5.3 Summary of Findings: Thematic Areas .........................................................................................152
5.3.1 Graphics ................................................................................................................................................................. 152
5.3.1.1 Perspectives from the Community Planning Divisions ............................................................................ 152
5.3.1.2 Perspectives from Other Divisions ........................................................................................................... 154
5.3.2 Digital Submissions ............................................................................................................................................... 155
5.3.2.1 Digital Submissions for Development Review ........................................................................................ 155
5.3.2.2 Digital Deliverables from Consultants ..................................................................................................... 157
5.3.3 3D Modeling and Visual Simulations .................................................................................................................... 158
5.3.3.1 3D Modeling for Community Planning ................................................................................................... 158
5.3.3.2 3D Modeling for Countywide Planning ................................................................................................... 159
5.3.3.3 3D Modeling for Development Review ................................................................................................... 159
5.3.3.4 3D Modeling for Parks Planning and Development ................................................................................ 161
5.3.4 GIS/Data Issues ...................................................................................................................................................... 162
5.3.4.1 “Map-making” vs. Creating Data ............................................................................................................. 162
5.3.4.2 Training and Knowledge .......................................................................................................................... 163
5.3.4.3 Access to GIS ........................................................................................................................................... 164
5.3.4.4 Data Issues ............................................................................................................................................... 164
5.3.5 Planning Decision Support Tools .......................................................................................................................... 166
5.3.5.1 Baseline/Alternative Scenario Analysis ................................................................................................... 166
5.3.5.2 Build-out Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 167
5.3.6 Organizational Issues ............................................................................................................................................. 169
5.3.6.1 The Use of IMD GIS Technicians ........................................................................................................... 169
5.3.6.2 The Use of Consultants ............................................................................................................................ 170

PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING USING 3D MODELING & PLANNING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS 10/18/2010 iii
for the Prince George’s County Planning Department

© Copyright 2010 Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
6.0 Tools Recommendations ..............................................................................................................171
6.1 Recommended Tools for 3D Modeling and Real-time Visual Simulations ..................................174
6.1.1 SketchUp and SketchUp Pro .................................................................................................................................. 176
6.1.2 ArcGIS Explorer .................................................................................................................................................... 178
6.1.3 Supplementary/Alternative Tools for 3D Visual Simulation ................................................................................. 180
6.1.3.1 ArcGIS 3D Analyst and/or CommunityViz® Scenario 3D ..................................................................... 180
6.1.3.2 AutoCAD ................................................................................................................................................. 180
6.1.3.3 Google Earth ............................................................................................................................................ 181
6.2 Recommended Tools for Planning Decision Support ...................................................................182
6.2.1 ESRI ArcGIS Desktop and Extensions (Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Network Analyst) ..................................... 185
6.2.2 CommunityViz® (Scenario 360 and Scenario 3D) ................................................................................................. 188
6.2.3 Supplementary/Alternative Tools .......................................................................................................................... 190
6.2.3.1 INDEX ..................................................................................................................................................... 190
6.2.3.2 MetroQuest .............................................................................................................................................. 191
7.0 Recommendations for Building Capacity ..................................................................................193
7.1 Institutionalize the Tool Selection, Implementation, Application, and Capacity-Building Process195
7.1.1 Form an Executive Committee .............................................................................................................................. 198
7.1.2 Technical Leads Advise the Tools Executive Committee...................................................................................... 199
7.1.3 Build Staff Capacity with In-House Training ........................................................................................................ 199
7.1.4 Identify Tool Application Opportunities and Suitable Pilot Projects ..................................................................... 201
7.1.5 Assemble Ad Hoc Teams for Tool Applications Development ............................................................................. 203
7.1.6 Develop Applications............................................................................................................................................. 205
7.1.6.1 Develop a Project Plan ............................................................................................................................. 205
7.1.6.2 Develop the Application .......................................................................................................................... 205
7.1.6.3 Test the Tool and/or Application ............................................................................................................. 206
7.1.6.4 Document the Tool Application ............................................................................................................... 206
7.1.7 Monitor and Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Tools ............................................................................................ 206
7.1.8 An Example of the Tool Implementation and Application Development Process ................................................. 206
7.2 Provide Tools and Data “Prepackaged” in Ways that are Useful to Planners ...............................208
7.3 Encourage the Analytical Use of 3D and GIS ...............................................................................209
7.4 Build Staff Capacity .......................................................................................................................210
7.5 Encourage Collaboration through Mutual Education and Support ................................................212
7.6 Plan for the Future .........................................................................................................................213
7.6.1 Digital Deliverables from Consultants for Community Planning and Urban Design Projects .............................. 213
7.6.2 Digital Submissions for Development Review ...................................................................................................... 214
7.6.3 Digital Collaboration for Plans .............................................................................................................................. 216
8.0 Data, Staffing, Software & Hardware Requirements...............................................................219
8.1 Application Data Requirements .....................................................................................................219
8.1.1 Identifying the Context in which the Tool is Being Used ...................................................................................... 219
8.1.2 Evaluating Data ...................................................................................................................................................... 221
8.1.2.1 Levels of Detail for 3D Models in Planning and Urban Design ............................................................. 222
8.1.3 Examples of Data Requirements Based on Planning Activities ............................................................................. 225
8.1.3.1 Example 1: Urban Design / Visualizing Zoning ...................................................................................... 225
8.1.3.2 Example 2: Historic Preservation: Visual Impacts of Infill or Additions to Buildings in a Historic District
229
8.1.3.3 Example 3: Historic Preservation: View-shed Analysis ......................................................................... 230
8.1.3.4 Example 4: Build-out Analysis ................................................................................................................ 233
iv 10/18/2010 PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING USING 3D MODELING & PLANNING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
for the Prince George’s County Planning Department
© Copyright 2010 Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
8.1.3.5 Example 5: Scenario Design and Comparative Analysis ......................................................................... 237
8.2 Staffing and Job Descriptions ........................................................................................................241
8.2.1 Current Job Classes and Personnel Distribution .................................................................................................... 241
8.2.2 Current Job Descriptions and Required Skills ....................................................................................................... 242
8.2.3 Job Descriptions from Other Agencies .................................................................................................................. 243
8.2.4 Proposed Strategy to Amend/Revise Existing Job Descriptions ............................................................................ 244
8.2.5 Baseline Skills........................................................................................................................................................ 248
8.2.6 Job Descriptions for Technical Leads .................................................................................................................... 249
8.3 Software, Hardware, and Training Priorities .................................................................................253
8.3.1 Estimated Tool Utilization by Division/Section .................................................................................................... 253
8.3.2 Software and Hardware Requirements................................................................................................................... 255
8.3.2.1 ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo .................................................................................................................. 255
8.3.2.2 CommunityViz 4.1 - Professional ............................................................................................................ 257
8.3.2.3 SketchUp Pro ........................................................................................................................................... 258
8.3.2.4 3D Studio Max (2011) ............................................................................................................................. 260
8.3.2.5 Google Earth / ArcGIS Explorer .............................................................................................................. 261
9.0 Summary of Major Recommendations ......................................................................................263

PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING USING 3D MODELING & PLANNING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS 10/18/2010 v
for the Prince George’s County Planning Department

© Copyright 2010 Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.
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