Simlandscape

Spatial planning processes are often perceived as ‘technological’ and abstract, being guided by professionals and authorities. In this light, new tools are required to support participative forms of area development, offering an attractive and understandable stage of discussion and plan development.

“Simlandscape” can be such a tool. It is based on scenario-modelling and multi-actor process models, and has already been used successfully in case-studies in The Netherlands and abroad. Its distinguishing characteristic is that ownership parcels are used as ‘transformation cells’, resulting in fine-grained and practice-oriented modelling. A differentiating typology of parcel characteristics makes detailed analysis and visualization possible, enhancing the understanding of what different scenarios might offer. Besides posing important challenges to research and development of simulation models in general, Simlandscape is a powerful planning, design and interaction-simulation concept for (local) governments, owners, professional developers, and other users.

Currently, Simlandscape exists in two different versions. One version uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for multithematic scenario research and evaluation in planning. Second, also a role simulation (‘game’) has been developed in which stakeholder interaction is simulated on the level of interactive planning as well on the level of physical and socio-economical transformation of areas.

‘Play Area with Simlandscape’ (PAS) aims at connecting and integrating these two parts. By interlacing the GIS-part to interaction simulation, Simlandscape develops into a ‘serious gaming’ system for multi-actor planning processes - ‘serious’ in the sense that the game is used for serious purposes, but also serious in the sense that realistic geo-information and other data are used. PAS will enable stakeholders to design, construct and evaluate various multi-thematic scenarios in a user-friendly and efficient way.

PAS will develop an integrated, digital version of Simlandscape, supported by parcel-based GIS but also by web-services to access, produce and share parcel-based geo-information. Participants visualise their (competing) development propositions using realistic 3D-building blocks. Providing new infrastructure and bringing geo-data to a broader group of end-users, PAS contributes to the Dutch National Geo-data Infrastructure (NGII). The project includes test drives with professional and educational communities.

The project has a duration of 2,5 years and will be carried out as a collaboration between the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e), Nieuwland, TDKadaster, DLG (Rural Development Service), Municipality of Apeldoorn and Wageningen University & Research Centre. International partners include the University of Washington and the Politecnico di Milano.