Other Literature on Visualisation

This research cannot cover all literature related to computer visualisation and planning; however, it has made an attempt to deliver and review literature investigating computer visualisation, in particular photomontage and alternative three dimensional media which have been implemented in planning studies.

Modern technology is a fast growing field and since the invention and development of CPU20, GPU21, and memory processing, the software industry has become vast field to explore. Even though this research covers most of the computer visualisation media employed in UK planning, some of technologies which have recently emerged or have not often been exercised in daily planning have not been covered fully. In this section,

literature on GIS and Internet streaming are briefly reviewed.

2.5.1 GIS Literature

Even though it is not a part of this research coverage, it is also essential to mention that literature using Internet is increasing in computer visualisation research. Therefore, it is worthwhile mentioning GIS and Internet related researches.

However, this thesis recognises GIS is a tool for representation, not a product of computer visualisation itself (Figure 2.9).

Figure 2.9 GIS as a formula in computer visualisation research

Therefore in this research, GIS is defined as a process which uses spatial data not a visualisation. It uses datasets that could provide spatial information in various forms of visualisation such as virtual environment, maps etc. that’s why it is excluded from the main classification, but dealt with as an application to generate computer visualisation.

Therefore, there is a number of research studies that employs GIS as an application. In particular, many studies have linked GIS into urban applications (Yates and Bishop, 1998).

Moreover, one of best literature to understand the use of GIS in landscape visualisation is carried out by Appleton et al. (2002). With GIS application, a number of computer

visualisations were produced and tested for environmental decision making processes. The media; image draping, photorealistic rendering, and virtual worlds were explored and Appleton et al. concluded that the cost of a package was linked to its capability for high- quality output. However, with capability comes complexity, and the cost of training should also be considered if useful results are to be obtained in a reasonable amount of time.

20

Central Processing Unit

21

Graphics Processing Unit Environmental Planning

Applications Assessments Preferences and etc

GIS

Visualistian Media : Plans, Raster Images, Virtual Environments and etc.

Kingston (2000)’s research employed Internet in the planning process in order to explore it use as an aid to local environmental decision making. The author saw current research examining the potential of the Word Wide Web as a means of increasing public

participation in local decision making in the UK. Interestingly, the research also compares traditional methods of public participation and argues that new Internet-based technologies have the potential to widen participation in the UK planning system.

Interestingly enough, Rantanen and Kahila (2008) brought in SoftGIS into planning investigating how planning decisions were made with a comprehensive understanding of local knowledge. A multidisciplinary approach was implemented with SoftGIS in order to gather and process local information for planning.

On the other hand, the impact of property prices in an urban area was explored with GIS (Lake et al., 1998). In addition, extending the applicability of viewsheds in landscape planning also studied with GIS (Fisher, 1996). Another example (Gourmelon, 2002) also demonstrated more possibilities of using GIS in ecological studies. Moreover, Selkirk and Bishop (2002) carried out research in an attempt to understand the parameters influencing each estimated animal’s home range.

Bishop also continued (Bishop and Gimblett, 2000) GIS research on the management of recreational areas in conjunction with virtual reality. Through the GIS, impacts such as erosion can be modelled and the research finds that the combined models can become part of a decision support system for sustainable tourism in fragile environments.

In particular, Uusitalo and Orland (2001) illustrated the possibilities and challenges of virtual forest management through empirical modelling methods. They reviewed the virtual forest management technologies through creating empirical models and suggesting constraints on the models. Modelling was carried out with GIS applications.

Using visualisation technologies, Al-Kodomany (1999) employed a case study to answer the research question; reviewing the effectiveness and comparing visualisation tools including GIS and computer generated photomontage. Chicago’s Pilsen neighbourhood was selected for the case study and in various planning stages, GIS based interactive visualisation of the neighbourhood through maps and images and computer-generated photomontages were provided in each separate planning stage. It was found that each

media; sketches, GIS and computer photomontage were appropriate for different phases of the planning process.

Another reason for the popularity of GIS based research is its strength of data availability. Even though, a number of academic research indicates that GIS data collection is

becoming a more commonplace task in planning (Appleton and Lovett, 2005), it is still an expensive option for ordinary professionals in real planning processes and in terms of scale of projects in landscape design, it isn’t always appropriate either.

2.5.2 Research using the Internet

In the UK, more than 77% of all households already have a connection to the Internet according to figures released by the independent Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) in 2011. Moreover, dial up connections fell by 2% in 2011. In 2007 broadband connection composed 84 % of UK household Internet; it became the majority (93%) in the year 2011.

However, research from the Oxford Internet Institute claimed that cost is not a significant factor and that age and indifference are the key factors in who goes online and who does not. The survey found that the average person has access to the internet in at least two out of four places: home, work, school or at a public library, but 41% of people do not use it.

There was an on-line campaign (Johnson, 2004) to increase the turnout in European elections. It was an attempt to bring a distant institution closer to people’s everyday lives. Recently, local councils across the UK launched online services (Cross, 2003). The aim was for citizens and local businesses to be able to connect directly with the council service they require, without needing to know which tier of government is responsible.

Since the invention of the Internet, academics started to recognise the potential of the technology. In 1995, Shafter (1995) claimed that the issue of connectivity with remotely accessible information has been addressed through the maturation of the Internet and the World Wide Web. This makes it possible for the globally networked community to access this information in an associative manner.

Kangas and Store (2002) even referred to the Internet as term of ‘teledemocracy’ in their research on landscape management. They believed that the widespread availability of Internet connections and the everyday aspect of the use of data networks provide many opportunities for exploiting in planning and affecting decision-making. They concluded

that there were good changes for applying teledemocracy in participatory forest planning and rapid on-going development as interactive telecommunication technology continuously increases its future potential. However, taking the technical and social facts of today into account, teledemocracy cannot replace other forms and channels of public participation.

Similarly, Wherrett (1999) also used the Internet as a medium for landscape preference research. She went further on the Internet employment issues in survey techniques

(Wherrett, 2000). Earlier, Bishop (1996) investigated landscape colour perception research using Internet. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the Internet is well researched in the participation aspects of research.