Att kommunicera idéer och visualisera information i 3D

Sammanfattning: In order to respond to a more complex community planning with increased cooperation and public participation, a common language and a common model to be used as a base for the communication process is needed. The thesis behind this dissertation for a master's degree is that a virtual 3D planning portal would respond to this need. Why and how are explained and described through studies of communication- and perception theory as well as technology and recent research. The introduction concludes that a broad participation and a transparence towards underlying information are important foundations for the coming work with the model. The first four chapters of the theory part show the benefits of using natural signs in our mixed cultural society, instead of the more arbitrary symbols. Using visual landscapes for storing information is motivated by the flexibility of our visual memory and its ability to understand complex connections. Motion has the ability to capture our attention and stimulate our curiosity. Together with spatiality and topology, it forms an argument talking against the use of traditional static and twodimensional representations. The last three theory chapters investigate the present state, as well as the expected development of practical and technical reality. They contain interviews performed with different people working in the profession today. The chapters also present cutting edge research as well as current inquiries underdone by different authorities. The current usage of different media and the opportunities with future media, like Internet and virtual online worlds, are being investigated. Proposals on useful technology are given and special interest is taken in an introduction of standard based and open formats. Finally a compilation is made, a compilation that puts together communication- and perception theory with the expected future development in techniques and user demands to create a theoretical virtual 3D planning portal. A base 3D-model is also created as an application to examine the capabilities of the base data and the techniques available today.