By 2033, how we live, work and play will have changed immeasurably. Our ability as planners to create cities and communities which embrace digital technology and its many imagined as well as unforeseen applications is one of the profession’s greatest challenges and opportunities.
Through a three part series of interactive sessions, leading thinkers, planners and technical specialists explored how emerging digital technologies will change the way we plan and develop our cities and the way the community within these cities will contribute to this change.
I experienced first hand, the latest in visual assesment, 3D modelling, surveying and scanning technology now used for local and development assessment. There was certainly a 'wow' factor in how far technology has gone. As a young professional, I thought I was up to date with the latest technology, but I guess after tonight I have much to catch up on.
Andrew Lamb from the Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) provided an overview of the technologies that have been utilised in the design, testing and assessment of new housing typologies. Andrew presented an example of the 'Augmented Reality' system which really took my breath away. Adopting the same technology as the Nintendo DS systems, he was able to project a 3D house from a card onto the screen. The card in his hand transformed into a live 3D model of a house right in front of us. The model also included animation. This technology will adopt a realism effect and allow interactivity between the client and the representative.
Next we have Nick McKelvy from RPS who presented the latest in survey technology - laser scanning. Traditionally, survey technology utilises conventional single point survey methods, but now the industry has started using laser scanning. High-density, photorealistic, and accurate survey data is rapidly and safely capture through the laser scanning system, which can then be used for engineering and design application.
These were the two outstanding speakers of the night who presented the latest technology in planning and surveying. The most important section of the night was discussion, but the audience was clearly awestruck with no questions to say. There was one inquiry which proved to be a difficult question for the panel members to answer. The question essentially asked, currently with the forefront of technology in our hands, how would private companies collaborate with the council if they aren't using the same technology? Essentially the panel of experts said that there would be a slow transition of information and pragmatic colleboration between the two parties, but there is really a need in the industry for a combined software that can be used by planners, architects and surveyors rather than different sets of software.