The Planning Innovations Technology Lab

Graduate Program in City & Regional PlanningSchool of Urban Affairs & Public Policy

The Planning Innovations Technology (PIT) Lab is the product of an Advanced Learning Center – Innovation to Excellence in Learning grant

The PIT lab is an element of a refreshed curriculum that incorporates technology instruction and experimentation into the core courses of the Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning.

Motivation• We believe that our students should be

positioned to advance the technological capabilities of the agencies that they go to work for, by bringing in knowledge of the latest innovations in planning technology.

Purpose• Provide City and Regional Planning students

with knowledge of the latest innovations in planning technology, with a focus on enhancing

•geographic analysis skills •presentation/visualization skills

• Augment traditional lecture-based learning with experiential learning that is interactive and collaborative.

Curricular Component• Participation in weekly PIT lab sessions is a

common requirement for all first-year fall core courses. The regular weekly meetings of each of these courses are abbreviated to accommodate the PIT lab sessions.

Skill Sets (and software)

• Mapping and Geographic Analysis (ArcMap GIS)

• Mobile GIS (ArcPad)

• 3D Rendering & Site Design (SketchUp / AutoCad)

• Photo visualization (Adobe Creative Suite / PhotoShop)

Geographic Analysis (ArcMap GIS)• Allows users to graphically display attribute

data in layers on a map and analyze spatial relationships

• Examples:

Mobile GIS (ArcPad)• Portable GIS software designed for use with

handheld PCs

• In the field, users can tap a parcel on a base map to verify or correct existing data, or enter new attributes, including digital photos

3D Rendering (SketchUp)• 3D rendering software that interfaces with GIS

• Allows users to convert 2-dimensional GIS maps into 3-dimensional representations

• 3D models make abstract ideas more palpable, allowing audiences to see the spatial relationships and visual impacts of multiple alternatives

• Examples:

Photo Visualization (Photoshop)• Photo-editing software can be used to create

realistic visualizations that make future development scenarios more tangible

• Allows users to combine both “real” and the “conceptual” images to accurately demonstrate how simple changes can improve the aesthetics of a streetscape.

• Broad Avenue façade enhancements example:

http://www.dpd.duncanplan.com/FBC/Broad_Visual.htm.

Smart Board Interactive Overlay• Converts plasma monitor to interactive

medium

• Replaces large paper maps for recording community input and brainstorming

• Base maps with digital markups can be saved and downloaded