Using Google Earth and Sketchup To Visualize Development Proposals

Anthony Townsend experiments with two powerful tools from Google that make it possible to visualize the view impacts of a new 26-story building in New York.

1 minute read

October 26, 2006, 12:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

Using the two free tools offered by the Palo Alto-based Google, Townsend constructed a virtual model to see if a controversial new building in his neighborhood would block the view from his apartment. In a matter of 15 mintues, he designed a rough model that illustrated the proposed building's impacts.

"This could change the rules of urban planning forever, as people can instantly build models and visualize the impact of proposed development - something that used to take artists or expensive CAD systems," says Townsend. "Bye bye experts, the power is now in the people's hands."

Thanks to Anthony Townsend

FULL STORY: Fun With Google Earth and Sketchup

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 in Institute for the Future

Technology New York

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