A Procedural Modeling Approach for Ecosystem Services and Geodesign Visualization in Old Town Pocatello, Idaho

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

General comments

The reviewed article is very interesting. I would like to point out several elements that should help the authors to improve the paper.

In the reviewer's opinion the presented article requires reorganization of both the abstract and the main content, which should provide more clarity.  

Introduction / literature review / expand to emphasize the research problem, to emphasize the need for research

Please read the Instructions for Authors relating to the sections of the research manuscript, the order and titles of the sections included and follow them.

Please indicate more clearly the originality of the research presented. Do the results of the analysis provide an advance in current knowledge, and to what extent?  

The theoretical framework of the research process pursued would need to be indicated. The reviewer does not notice the literature review aspect

The formatting of the literature should be checked.

Abstract

The abstract should be structured, it should include

1) The research problem (the topic of the paper mentioned in a general way),

2) purpose of the paper (is the purpose also included in the paper?),

3) method and research area,

4) general description of research results (general conclusions without describing them, what is their contribution to business practice)

5) you can indicate what new contributions the paper makes to the economy and science

Introduction

A concise introduction to enable the reader to understand the research problem.

The introduction should clearly illustrate what we know (key theoretical perspectives and empirical findings) and what we don't know (a major unsolved puzzle, controversy, or paradox pertains to this study or why it should be addressed and why it matters).

what we learn from the study and how the study fundamentally changes, challenges, or enhances scholars' understanding.

Therefore, the introduction must do a better job of preparing the ground for articulating the study's theoretical contribution.

Unambiguously demonstrate the purpose of the study

 Review the literature

The paper should address the issues in a coherent and convincing manner. This is a key phase that contributes to the research design. A theoretical framework emerging from the literature review could help organize the material presented

Direct reviewer does not find, so the structure of the paper would need to be improved,

International literature should be included in the review

 Material and method

This is one of the most critical parts of the paper. Methods should be adequately described to show how the study was conducted to improve clarity and transparency.

Why this city was chosen in the study, what determined its choice

Why the indicated methods were chosen, what are their advantages, what are their disadvantages

What software was used

 Results

Correct they should be put in order

 Discussion

Needs clear and comprehensive explanations to help readers understand

Can it be internationalized more

More so if you can relate it to the work of other authors

Point out the determinants that determined the problem studied

 Conclusions

Who can benefit from the results?

What are the problems / limitations of the study

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Author,

The topic developed is of interest and relevance. The research on economic and population growth and its direct impact on the environment by increasing pollution or degrading quality of ecological services –especially in urban areas in developing countries– is a key issue in the sustainability context. The topic discussed in your document could provide an important contribution to this research area. However, in my opinion, your manuscript –in its present form– doesn’t support the sufficient quality for its publication in LAND. It is in no way your methodical approach, but alone the yet imperfect style of scientific writing. Publications in peer-reviewed journals –as LAND– are to disseminate knowledge. In this sense, there is still very significant room for improvement to be published. You can see, for this purpose, an interesting paper entitled, ‘How to write a paper for successful publication in an international peer-reviewed journal’ (Tress et al., 2014). You should review the “Guide for Authors” and/or consult with other colleagues to adjust your text to this type of paper. In any case, I think that your manuscript provides an interesting case study. Perhaps, it may be possible its publication in other Journals. I am completely sure of your ability to make progress on this subject. I encourage you to carry on down the path you have chosen.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The reviewed article raises a very interesting issue, which is the possibility of creating a 3D visualization of urban space in order to support decisions in urban planning on the example of Old Town Pocatello, Idaho.

The conducted research focuses mainly on the presentation of the research method of 3D visualization. The starting point is that 3D modeling can enhance spatial visualization. The content and results of the presented research confirm this thesis.

However, in the article it would be worth considering whether:

- it is not worth emphasizing the impact of the proposed 3D visualization method on the issue of making decisions about the nature of spatial development; the developed application enables the assessment of the impact of individual investments on the entire urban landscape of a given place; thanks to the proposed research method, such an impact will be able to be assessed before and not after the fact;

- information about Pacatello is provided both in Indruction and in the Study area (e.g. now the article mentions the population of this city twice),

- the font size in figures 2, 3 and 4 should be increased to make them more legible;

- "Discussion" needs to be expanded both in the context of the discussion of the research method itself and its influence on the spatial order; in this section you can refer to many examples of old cities in Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, which they are currently undergoing a process of revitalization; the proposed research method would allow such changes to be carried out in these spaces in this way so that new investments would not create spatial contrasts in the urban landscape and would be consistent with the idea of ​​sustainable development.

Overall, the article should be rated highly. The possibility of 3D visualization of space in order to support decisions in urban planning is the most appropriate postulate. The article is suitable for publication after minor corrections.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

This case study demonstrates an opportunity to combine ES assessment and 3D geo-visualization with urban design that can be used for future development in Pocatello, Idaho. The topic of the manuscript is relevant, aimed at introducing modern visualization tools into urban design practice, and addressing the challenges of sustainable development.

The hypothesis of the study is vaguely formulated, which explains the unclear problem statement. ArcGIS CityEngine was used as a research tool. 

The introduction reveals the problem of GIS to solve the problems of sustainable development and the use of 2D and 3D modeling tools, which are currently being increasingly developed.

The citations cited can be considered relevant, most have been published in the last 10 years.

Using CityEngine, the authors created a procedural 3D model with landscapes and streetscapes for "Old Town." This city model from CityEngine was integrated into the game engine (Unity) to create an interactive 3D application that allows users to virtually drive a car with a joystick on their Android devices and walk around "Old Town". Such a game engages users in a digital environment, making them participants in the realization of the smart city concept.

The drawings and tables display the data correctly and are easy to interpret and understand.

The work is exploratory, using a part of Pocatello's Old Town as an example, to show the possibilities and benefits of 3D modeling in urban planning, taking into account the evaluation of the ecosystem.  The parameters chosen for the analysis of the ecosystem are minimal and the results obtained on the negative impact of the sealed areas on the ecosystem can be stated without performing such studies, as noted by the authors themselves, citing articles 50 and 51. 

Nevertheless, the work is the result of extensive research, the stages of which are reflected in Figure 2, has a novelty, can be published in Special Issue: Geodesign in Urban Planning.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Author(s),

Thank you very much for diligently considering the given remarks in your revision. The wording, in my opinion, has improved. However, in my view, your manuscript, although the manuscript does provide an interesting case study, in its present form doesn’t support the sufficient quality for its publication in LAND. It is in no way your methodical approach, but alone the yet imperfect style of scientific writing. I am completely sure of your ability to make progress on this subject. I encourage you to carry on down the path you have chosen.

Author Response

The call for articles for this special issue is "Geodesign in Urban Planning", and it seems that our applied research fits this call and would be of interest to other researchers in this field. Three other reviewers provided specific comments and helpful feedback for our manuscript.  If you have any further specific feedback please let us know. Thank you for your time.