Burlington, VT - (Sept. 18, 2009) The first phase of a project to create a comprehensive digital three-dimensional models of downtown and waterfront buildings has been completed. It will be presented to the community on Sept. 29 at 7 pm at the Firehouse Gallery on Church Street Marketplace.

This past summer, the City of Burlington Planning & Zoning Department hired Champlain College Emergent Media Center (EMC) students to create digital 3D models of downtown and waterfront buildings using Google SketchUp. The first phase of the project is now complete and over 150 models have been developed along Main and Church Streets.

The Visualize Burlington in 3D project, once completed, will present an effective planning tool. 3D modeling gives context to geospatial data, helping users better visualize and understand the relationship of buildings and infrastructure within the physical landscape.

Here are some of the applications how these models could be used in Burlington:

• Long-range Planning: Visualize complicated urban planning policies and regulations in 3D to be easily understood.
• Development Review Aid: Simulate proposed urban development plans in the downtown and waterfront areas in relation to their surroundings.
• Environmental assessment: 3D modeling of proposed developments can support shadow, noise, and wind-tunnel analyses for environmental impact assessment.
• Economic development: Visualizations depict future growth and emerging development areas. Tourists can access business information from the web or cell phones.
• Emergency response: Detailed information at the building and critical infrastructure levels enables effective emergency response

 The Department of Planning & Zoning invites everyone to view the 3D models on Google 3D Warehouse and Google Earth at: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=burlington+vt&styp=c&btnG=Search

Champlain College's EMC students will also present the highly detailed 3D modeling of the Champlain College campus on Sept. 29. Located in the heart of the historic "Hill" section of the city, the modeling will highlight the architectural detail of the many historic homes.

For more information:

Sandrine Thibault, Comprehensive Planner, Planning & Zoning Department City of Burlington, 802-865-7193 /sthibault@ci.burlington.vt.us

Ann DeMarle, Director, Emergent Media Center,  Champlain College, 802-865-6404 / DeMarle@champlain.edu