Over time, the world has witnessed the constant growth of urban centres, popularly referred to as towns. Towns form an integral part of modern economies by acting as hubs for social, technological, political and economic growth.
Town planning is critical for ensuring that the public and private sectors make the most of urban centres. The discipline is dedicated to comprehensively evaluating and designing urban areas, rearranging the economic, social and physical elements for better living. In doing so, town planners rely on technology to develop suitable plans to optimise the efficient use of available resources.
Keep reading to understand the role technology plays in town planning.
Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping
A GIS system plays a crucial role in efficient town planning by producing interactive maps that display information such as zoning, land use and natural resources. Town planners rely on this information to decide where to place physical elements. For example, they can put densely populated apartment buildings away from natural vegetation and rivers to enhance conservation and minimise pollution.
Public Participation and Engagement
Today's information age means that people can learn many things at the click of a button. The same power can be channelled to educating and gathering information from the community when planning an urban area. For example, town planners can use social media forums and tools to understand the community's desires before deciding on the placement of physical and economic facilities in an urban area.
Three-Dimensional Simulation and Modelling
Rolling out a town's physical design is no mean feat. It requires a well-thought scheme that ensures the economic, social and natural elements flow into each other without interference or pollution. Therefore, it only makes sense for town planners to employ three-dimensional models and simulations before executing the actual plan. These simulations allow town planners to experiment with various design options to assess the impact they will have on the environment. They can also use these dummies to test energy use, the practicality of the roads, traffic flow and much more. In short, this helps them anticipate design shortcomings and implement solutions to problems like poor drainage.
Smart City Technology
The rise of smart cities comes from the need for convenience and driving efficiency in people's lives. Town planners can rely on technological advancement to make cities more livable. They can incorporate sensors, smart device connections and real-time data monitoring for better energy use, water management and much more.
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