Understand environmental effects while the plan can still change
Review sunlight, shadow, sightlines, noise, heat stress, air quality and environmental KPIs directly in the spatial context of an urban development scenario. Add connected hydrology and green-benefit results when specialist models are needed.
Analyse effects without losing the relationship to the design
Environmental information becomes more useful when it remains connected to the buildings, public space and alternatives that caused the effect. 3D Cityplanner keeps analysis and scenario review in the same visual environment.
Sunlight and shadow
Review sunlight and shadow for selected dates and times and understand how building massing affects surrounding spaces and buildings.
Sightlines and visibility
Test whether important views remain open and investigate visibility between buildings, streets, public spaces and landscape elements.
Road-traffic noise
Calculate and visualise noise effects using roads, buildings and traffic assumptions, then compare existing, proposed and difference situations.
Heat-stress analysis
Visualise heat-stress patterns and compare how building massing, shadow, green space and spatial measures influence exposure.
Air quality in the Netherlands
Use map layers for NOx, PM10 and PM2.5 as part of environmental review and scenario scoring.
Environmental KPIs
Score scenarios with indicators such as trees per household, square metres of green space per dwelling and other project-specific targets.
Compare shadow, noise and visibility between alternatives
The value of an environmental analysis is not only the result itself. It is the ability to understand why one scenario performs differently and to adjust the plan before the design becomes fixed.
- Move between existing, proposed and difference situations.
- Review effects at area, building and street level.
- Compare several development alternatives using the same assumptions.
- Use 2D, 3D and first-person perspectives for different review questions.
- Keep the visible result connected to programme, building form and spatial measures.
Bring hydrology and green benefits back into the planning context
Some themes require specialist calculation engines. 3D Cityplanner can connect those outputs to the same scenario environment used for design, comparison and communication.
Hydrology through Hydrologic
Send measures or scenarios to the connected hydrological workflow and review rainfall, water-retention or flooding results again in the project context.
Green benefits through RIVM
Connect outputs from the RIVM Green Benefits Planner, including health, air-quality and temperature-related benefits of green measures.
Use environmental data as part of scenario scoring
Not every environmental question needs a new calculation. Existing map layers and project indicators can also help teams screen alternatives and identify where more detailed research is required.
- Combine national, regional and local environmental map layers with the project model.
- Use Dutch air-quality layers for NOx, PM10 and PM2.5.
- Score trees per household or green-space area per dwelling.
- Add project-specific thresholds and sustainability targets.
- Use early screening to focus later specialist research.
Clear distinction between built-in analysis, map layers and external models
The platform brings different levels of environmental information together, but it does not present every result as the same type of evidence. This makes it easier to use early indications responsibly and recognise when authoritative or specialist calculations are needed.
From an environmental question to an improved scenario
Use the level of analysis that fits the current planning phase and add more detailed data as the project develops.
Load the context
Bring together the project boundary, existing buildings, roads, vegetation and relevant environmental layers.
Create alternatives
Adjust building form, programme, green space and public-space measures in the scenario.
Analyse and connect
Run built-in analyses, use map layers and request connected specialist calculations where needed.
Compare and improve
Review differences, discuss trade-offs and refine the scenario before progressing to detailed design.