Explore, Design and Monitor the Urban Landscape

GEOVIA Urban Planning provides city designers, planners, and architects with the tools to create a virtual twin, a 3D copy of an existing urban landscape, using all available data, including geological, topographical, demographic, and transportation information. From there, they can simulate how urban projects could evolve over time and in various circumstances.

Finally, because these tools are united on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, all stakeholders in city departments and the overall urban environment can (subject to custom-built access rules) easily see and share views of the virtual twin, leading to a greater understanding of the reasons behind, and implications of, city planning decisions.

GEOVIA Urban Planning Key Benefits

More Knowledge, Less Risk

Eliminates uncertainty by visualizing all layers of a complex urban environment.

Improved Geospatial Insights

Uses data engineering to generate better insights from geospatial data.

Better Decision Making

Enables cities to build a common data referential — a single source of truth.

GEOVIA Urban Planning software products are packaged as Roles to get you up to speed faster and work more efficiently with all needed applications available at your fingertips. Select a package that corresponds to your role in an organization.

GEOVIA Urban Planning FAQ

GIS Software: Vital for mapping and analyzing spatial data, GIS software aids urban planners in visualizing and comprehending information related to land use, transportation networks, demographics, and environmental factors.
CAD Software: Used for crafting intricate architectural and engineering drawings, CAD software assists planners in designing infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces.
Simulation and Modeling Tools: Planners employ simulation and modeling software to create scenarios for urban development, enabling predictions about the effects of proposed changes on traffic flow, energy consumption, and urban systems.
Data Analytics and Big Data: Leveraged by urban planners, data analytics and big data tools analyze extensive datasets, extracting insights to guide data-driven decisions regarding transportation, housing, and infrastructure projects.
3D Visualization Software: These tools enable planners to construct virtual models of urban projects, allowing stakeholders to visualize the appearance and functionality of proposed developments.
Remote Sensing Technologies: Satellite imagery and aerial drones provide planners with up-to-date, high-resolution data for tasks like land-use mapping, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.
Transportation Planning Software: Specialized software assists transportation planners in analyzing traffic flow, optimizing public transit systems, and designing efficient transportation networks.
Environmental Assessment Tools: Planners use environmental assessment software to evaluate the impact of development projects on the environment, ensuring compliance with regulations and sustainability goals.
Public Engagement Platforms: Digital platforms and social media facilitate community engagement, input gathering, and public participation in the planning process.
Sustainability and Energy Modeling: Software for sustainability analysis and energy modeling assess the environmental and energy efficiency aspects of urban designs and infrastructure projects.
Real Estate and Market Analysis Software: Urban planners employ these tools to understand market trends, property values, and economic factors that influence development decisions.

Scope

Urban Planning

Urban Design

Definition

Involves comprehensive, long-term management of urban areas, addressing policies, regulations, and strategies for guiding city and regional growth. Factors considered include land use, transportation, infrastructure, zoning, and social/economic elements to create sustainable and functional urban environments.

Focuses on the physical and aesthetic aspects of urban spaces, working on the arrangement of buildings, streets, public areas, and overall layout to improve functionality, aesthetics, and quality of life within specific areas of the city.

Goals

The primary goal of urban planning is to create sustainable, equitable, and efficient urban environments. Planners strive to balance various aspects such as economic development, environmental sustainability, social equity, and public health.

Urban design aims to enhance the physical and visual aspects of urban spaces. Designers work to create attractive, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and public spaces while considering aesthetics, architectural coherence, and human-scale interactions.

Professionals

Urban planners typically have backgrounds in urban studies, geography, or public policy. They often work for government agencies, consulting firms, or nonprofit organizations.

Urban designers often have backgrounds in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban design itself. They focus on the physical design and aesthetics of urban spaces and may work for architecture firms, design studios, or as independent consultants.

In summary, urban planning encompasses a wide range of factors and operates on a larger scale to shape the overall development of cities, while urban design concentrates on the physical design and appearance of specific urban areas to improve their functionality and visual appeal. Both fields collaborate to create well-balanced, livable urban environments.

Also Discover

Act for Cities & Urban Sustainability

How can sustainable cities thrive as urbanization increases?

Collaborative urban planning

Virtual twin experiences empower stakeholders shaping the world’s cities – from construction firms to urban leaders – to explore unlimited scenarios to optimize human experience and protect our planet. And because the twins are built on scientific principals and data, the most sustainable actions can be taken in service of and in consultation with everyday citizens: from optimizing the layout of a single building to determining the best routes for public transportation.