A major frustration across architecture and urban design professions is the Tower of Babel problem – translating data from a host of different resources into a coherent platform for designing and planning. In particular, learning how to wield geographic data is an essential part of any urban project. Accessing that information, through resources like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a first step for many designers, but translating it into a consistent and useful language is a whole other matter, let alone learning how to optimize its use for the many phases throughout a project’s design and implementation.

The practice of geodesign integrates site-specific data, by means of geographic and mapping technologies, into the design process. Leveraging geographic information about a site leads to stronger evidence-based designs, and can be used for making smarter 3D city models. ESRI, Inc. specializes in exactly such technologies, and is working to make them useful for all design professionals of the built environment.

Nadia Amoroso, co-founder of DataAppeal, an online 3D GIS and mapping application, recently attended ESRI's Geodesign conference to learn more about their geodesign platform. Amoroso holds a PhD in architectural design from the Bartlett, and has written a fair amount on “creative mapping”, using geographic data and mapping technologies as foundational studies in urban design and city planning. Her most recent book, Representing Landscapes: Digital, with a foreword by James Corner of Field Operations, gathers leading examples of digital landscape representations. She put together the following takeaway on geodesign’s potential:

Geodesign offers to shake up the notion of GIS. Geodesign provides a design framework and supporting technology for design professionals to leverage geographic information, resulting in designs that more closely follow site and natural systems. Geodesign is a new way of thinking about the design process, utilizing site data with software such as a GIS (Geographic Information System) to create urban or landscape designs.

Michael Flaxman, former MIT Professor and CEO of Geodesign Technologies, stated at Esri's 2010 GeoDesign summit that "GeoDesign is a design and planning method which tightly couples the creation of design proposals with impact simulations informed by geographic contexts."

ESRI Inc., the global mapping and GIS company, based in Redlands California, has created a suite of geodesign solution softwares that are specifically tailored for the landscape architecture and urban design industries, in order for both industries to make strategic plans.

Jack Dangermond, the founder and President of ESRI Inc., has a background in design. He studied landscape architecture at Harvard’s GSD. He has tapped into his landscape architecture roots and is revolutionizing the concept of geodesign for landscape architecture, architecture, planning and urban design fields. Dangermond claims that, “Geodesign is about integrating geographic knowledge with the spatial design process…..design with nature, or geodesign, is our next evolutionary step.”

ESRI now hosts an annual Geodesign Summit where landscape architects, architects, academics, urban and transportation planners, and leading thought leaders in the industry come together to learn and share their experiences on how the geodesign technology solution platform is being used to make and create smarter cities and sustainable landscapes.

Technology wise, think of CAD, BIM, GIS all in one. ESRI offers a suite of software from 2D mapping to 3D modeling as part of the Geodesign solutions, which combines sketching and modeling tools with the power of data, GIS and high quality renderings. The Geodesign Platform includes mainly the following suite of applications:

1. GeoPlanner for ArcGIS, a web-based, easy to use sketching and mapping tool to design scenarios. It leverages geo-based data and supports all the steps of land-based planning and urban design. This includes sketching and designing scenarios (design alternatives), understanding the impact of your designs, perform site and spatial analysis and compare alternative designs.

2. ArcGIS Pro, a robust desktop application which render and process data faster than ever. The software allows you to design and edit your concepts in 2D and 3D with multiple view ports. You can perform 3d site analysis like wind analysis, shade/ shadow analysis, circulation patterns, density, view-shed analysis. Designers can add realistic trees, buildings and infrastructures quickly.

3. CityEngine which is a 3D modeling software which leverages parametric modeling and geo-based data to create evidence-based city and landscape designs. CityEngine also outputs stunningly realistic renderings – it’s been used in many animated films including DreamWork’s How to Train Your Dragon and Disney’s Big Hero 6. CityEngine allows you to import your urban design proposals within existing built urban context in Cityengine. Using parametric and rule procedures, the landscape architect can create, change and test mass modeling to comply with zoning regulations; test shadow area; create detailed streetscapes and create quality public realm spaces. It offers intuitive and effective tools for façade and landscape texturing, adding landscape elements and various tree species. CityEngine provides perspective correction to capture the right views. CityEngine is integrated with ArcGIS.

All these tools provide real-time feedback on your changing design concepts.

According to Esri, the geodesign platform combines site and nature, blending “science- and value-based information to help designers, planners, and stakeholders make better-informed decisions… [Geodesign] offers geospatial modeling, impact simulations, and real-time feedback to facilitate holistic designs and smart decisions.” This technology is critical for landscape architects, architects and designers of the built environment, in order to make smart design decisions that are sustainable and adaptable to our growing and changing cities.

For more information:

• Showcases GeoPlanner, ArcGIS Pro, CityEngine
• Opening Remarks from the 2015 Geodesign conference