Applications of Digital Modeling, 3D Modeling, and Simulation Visualization for Urban Development

Dear Colleagues,

In the face of rapid urbanization and the increasing complexity of modern cities, digital technologies have emerged as powerful tools to shape the future of urban development. This Special Issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge research and practical advancements that leverage digital modeling and simulation techniques to address urban planning, design, and management challenges. The integration of 3D modeling, simulation visualization, and digital tools enables professionals to analyze urban systems, optimize spatial layouts, and enhance decision-making processes. From smart city initiatives to sustainable infrastructure planning, these technologies foster innovative solutions that improve efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience in urban environments. This collection highlights contributions that demonstrate the transformative potential of digital modeling in fields such as urban design, transportation planning, environmental analysis, and stakeholder engagement. By exploring emerging methodologies and case studies, this Special Issue aims to inspire researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to embrace digital tools for creating smarter, more sustainable cities.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which focuses on the transformative role of digital technologies in shaping the future of urban development and aims to bring together innovative research and practical advancements that leverage digital modeling, 3D visualization, and simulation techniques to address the challenges of urban planning, design, and management. Join us in advancing the field and fostering innovative solutions for urban environments.

Research areas may include, but are not limited to:

1. Leveraging photogrammetry and remote sensing for 3D city modeling and land-use planning;
2. The integration of remote sensing and GIS for monitoring land-use dynamics in rapidly growing cities;
3. Documenting and reconstructing cultural heritage sites using high-resolution photogrammetry and LiDAR techniques;
4. Simulation visualization for the preservation of historical urban landscapes during modernization efforts;
5. Satellite-based remote sensing for tracking urban sprawl and environmental impacts;
6. Creating digital twins of urban environments using photogrammetry, GIS, and LiDAR technologies;
7. Simulation visualization for energy-efficient urban planning and resource management;
8. Using remote sensing data for flood modeling and risk assessment in urban areas;
9. Post-disaster damage assessment and 3D visualization;
10. Analyzing urban heat islands using remote sensing and 3D modeling techniques;
11. Applications of simulation visualization to optimize green spaces and urban vegetation;
12. Monitoring road networks, bridges, and buildings through multi-sensor remote sensing and 3D simulation;
13. Photogrammetric techniques for the assessment of urban infrastructure degradation and maintenance planning;
14. UAS-based photogrammetry for the real-time 3D mapping of urban construction sites;
15. Utilizing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in participatory urban design processes;
16. Using 3D visualization to communicate complex urban development plans to stakeholders;
17. Analyzing urban air quality and pollution dispersion using remote sensing data and digital simulations;
18. Modeling urban hydrology and water resource management through 3D visualization;
19. Integrating IoT data, remote sensing, and 3D models for real-time urban simulations;
20. Digital twin applications for predictive analysis and sustainable urban growth management;
21. Combining photogrammetric and remote sensing techniques for high-resolution terrain and urban surface modeling;
22. Applications and techniques for underground infrastructure visualization;
23. Modeling climate risks, such as flooding and heatwaves, using remote sensing and simulation tools;
24. AI-driven analysis of remote sensing data for automated land-use classification and change detection;
25. Machine learning applications in photogrammetry for efficient 3D model generation and analysis;
26. Simulating urban traffic patterns using remote sensing and 3D modeling tools;
27. Planning smart transportation systems through integrated visualization and remote sensing data.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Prof. Dr. Valeria Ersilia Oniga
Prof. Dr. Costas Armenakis
Guest Editors

Dr. Ana Maria Loghin
Guest Editor Assistant

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