Abstract
This contribution presents a research approach based on experiential and environmental simulations to assess urban design projects and city plans. I argue that the combined use of both methods, in parallel or together with other modes of investigation, can foster the design and evaluation process while reducing the risk of failure, thus supporting decision-making processes. The research outcomes presented are based on applied research carried out at the “Fausto Curti” Urban Simulation Laboratory at the Polytechnic University of Milan.
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Change history
10 April 2018
An error in the production process unfortunately led to publication of this chapter prematurely, before incorporation of the final corrections. The version supplied here has been corrected and approved by the author [authors].
Notes
- 1.
Official labsimurb website: www.labsimurb.polimi.it. Official labsimurb Facebook page: www.facebook.com/labsimurb.
- 2.
Up to 2010, another research field related to the economic and financial domain was led by Fausto Curti.
- 3.
The multisensory research is coordinated by Barbara E.A. Piga, whereas the energy and environmental research is coordinated by Eugenio Morello.
- 4.
Defined by George Mckechnie as an “attempt to provide tangible, concrete replicas or isomorphs of environments—often future environments” (1977, p. 174)
- 5.
A research aimed at overcoming this limit using an approach based on perceptual fidelity is proposed by Vigier, T.; Moreau, G.; Siret, D.; and Lescop, L. (2012). “A new concept of perceptual fidelity to augment virtual urban environments with microclimatic ambiances.” In: T. Leduc, G. Moreau, & R. Billen (Eds.). Usage, Usability, and Utility of 3D City Models—European COST Action TU0801 (p. 3002). EDP Sciences.
- 6.
Shadow casting is included in visual simulation in terms of lighting conditions from the visual point of view only.
- 7.
Krueger, M. W. (1991). Artificial Reality II. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
- 8.
In other disciplines, such as industrial design or software development, prototyping and beta testing are already viewed as crucial verifications for the final validation of the design solution.
- 9.
This point is even more dramatic if we consider that many simulations are beginning to become multisensory, even in terms of soundscapes and kinesthesia.
- 10.
This is too often true for post-occupancy evaluation as well, which could instead contribute to generating a virtuous cycle of validated best practices.
- 11.
This will probably be overcome with embedded 3D navigable models.
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Piga, B.E.A. (2018). The Combined Use of Environmental and Experiential Simulations to Design and Evaluate Urban Transformations. In: Quality of Life in Urban Landscapes. The Urban Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65581-9_32
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