Urban Planning in 3D with a Two-tier LUTI model

2025-10-23

AI Summary

How can multi-scale coupling be achieved between regional population and employment dynamics simulation and fine-grained neighborhood/parcel-level planning? This paper proposes a two-tier Land Use–Transportation Interaction (LUTI) framework that integrates the macro-level Lowry model with micro-level 3D urban modeling, implemented via Esri CityEngine to enable bidirectional linkage between regional flow forecasting (commuting and employment) and fine-grained spatial allocation. Its key innovation lies in establishing, for the first time, a coordinated “region–neighborhood” hierarchical mechanism supporting dynamic scenario-based simulation, interactive visualization, and quantitative evaluation. Applied empirically in South Yorkshire, the framework successfully translates macro-scale forecasts into actionable, localized design interventions, thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and practical utility of cross-scale analysis and decision support in urban planning. (149 words)

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Model-Based Reasoning
• Natural Language Processing: Language Grounding & Multi-modal NLP
• Humans and AI: Planning and Decision Support for Human-Machine Teams

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User modeling and simulation for interactive and conversational systems
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: The sharing economy

Abstract

The two-tier Lowry model brings dynamic simulations of population and employment directly into the planning process. By linking regional modelling with neighbourhood design, the framework enables planners to explore how alternative planning scenarios may evolve over time. The upper tier captures regional flows of people, jobs, and services, while the lower tier allocates these to fine-grain zones such as neighbourhoods or parcels. Implemented in CityEngine, the approach allows interactive visualisation and evaluation of multi-scale scenarios. A case study in South Yorkshire (UK) illustrates how regional forecasts can be translated into local design responses, connecting quantitative modelling with 3D spatial planning.

Problem

• Dynamic simulation of population and employment in urban planning
• Linking regional modeling with neighborhood-level design scenarios
• Integrating quantitative forecasts with interactive 3D spatial visualization

Innovation

• Two-tier LUTI model for dynamic population simulation
• Linking regional modeling with neighborhood design scenarios
• Interactive 3D visualization in CityEngine for planning