detailed 3D Building models Automatically Generated for very large areas

Introduction

In the ERC project Urban Modelling in higher dimensions (UMnD), we developed a solution for detailed 3D Building models Automatically Generated for very large areas (3DBAG). This prototype was applied to generate detailed 3D models for all 10 million buildings in The Netherlands.

Importance of Digital Twins

Such a digital twin of built objects provides a valuable data source and simulation basis for professionals working in:

• Planning
• Design
• Construction
• Energy
• Real estate

Additionally, it serves for environmental impact studies on:

• Noise
• Flooding
• Wind flows
• Air quality
• Urban heat islands

Challenges in 3D Model Generation

3D models are already used in specific domains, but it takes a lot of effort to generate suitable 3D building models for a given application due to the required manual editing. Therefore, detailed 3D models are rarely available for large areas (regions or nations).

Our Unique Method

The solution lies in the unique method we developed, which enables the generation of high-quality, easy-to-use 3D building models fully automatically at a national scale to be used without any technical or legal restriction. This will be a breakthrough for the use of 3D data in current and new applications.

Demonstrating Effectiveness

With the beta release of the Dutch 3DBAG and the subsequent wide adoption and application of it by industry and government, the effectiveness of 3DBAG has been demonstrated.

Goals of the PoC

This PoC aims to further advance 3DBAG from the current TRL6 to TRL9.

Technical Sustainability

Firstly, we will make 3DBAG technically sustainable by addressing issues to achieve even higher adoption, supporting more height data sources as available in other countries, and preparing for the maintainability and performance of our method in an operational setting.

Economic Sustainability

Secondly, we will explore how to best ensure the economical sustainability of 3DBAG by:

1. Clarifying the IPR and licensing strategy
2. Assessing the market potentials (extending our current relations)
3. Understanding users' interest to pay for value-added services
4. Considering possible international expansions