Visualising the city – towards an open solution

Dave HarteEconomic Development Manager, Digital Birmingham

david.m.harte@birmingham.gov.ukwww.digitalbirmingham.co.uk/blog07500 882980

Visualising the city

• Key city development projects

• Engaging the public using digital tools

• Making Birmingham an ‘open’ digital city

Eastside vision by children from St Anne's Roman Catholic Primary School

Key Issue

• Every project has a digital bit in it

• Digital Birmingham asked to advise

• Wants to give advice that balances:– appropriate solution for the project– creates opportunities for digital businesses– pitches Birmingham as innovating in this area

Key city things

• Birmingham House

• New street station

• Wholesale Markets

• Longbridge

• Icknield Port Loop

• East Birmingham

Key city things

• Library of Birmingham

• Eastside– Park– Digital District– Commercial developments– Education developments

Key agendas

• Local Strategic Partnership

• Local and National Indicators

• NI4 % of people who feel they can influence decision making

• NI5 % of people overall satisfaction with local area

Engaging the public

• Increased use of social media tools– Big City Plan/Talk– E-petitions– Social Media in constituencies– NI4 driving initiatives

Engaging the public

• What role for visualisation?– 3d models – Maps– Games– Virtual worlds

Visualisation to stimulate investment

Visualisation for consultation:

• Grangegorman, North Dublin

• Dublin Institute of Technology• Crytek 3D game engine to create

visualisations for consultation (http://bit.ly/crydit)

Visualisation for consultation

Visualisation for consultation

• Grangegorgan issues– Accuracy of data in order to be useful – Manual measurement of listed buildings– Architect plans for new buildings– Digital asset creation:

“As Farcry is a tropical island based game, the library of textures and foliage was unsuitable for downtown Dublin”

Birmingham Second Life Island

Key issues for Digital Birmingham

• Who’s innovating?– Not just technology but engagement

• Being open in approach– Sharing digital assets, data

• Funding– City– Technology Strategy Board– Science City

• Supporting the Digital & Creative Industries

Coming together

• Workshop in September• Planners/architects/city officers/creatives

etc. etc.• Discuss opportunities in detail• Guidance for city officers

Towards a collaborative approach to developing Birmingham as an Open Digital City