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Future Insight

Chain design defines and fleshes out standards and guidelines that are needed.

Updated: Jan 22

Three-dimensional (3D) models of reality are increasingly on the rise. Within the municipality of Rotterdam, which has been one of the frontrunners in the field of 3D city modeling for years, as well as in other municipalities, the use of 3D information is taking off and there is an increasing need for standards and principles to set this up properly. In an iterative process with many different stakeholders, we arrived at this elaboration which can be enriched over time with new knowledge and experience.


3D modeling emerging


When searching for a home, real estate agents are increasingly providing three-dimensional renderings of the property. A new kitchen is drawn out for you in 3D. And architects and construction companies are also working with software in which buildings are designed and recorded entirely in 3D as a Building Information Model (BIM).


The government, too, is increasingly discovering the possibilities of 3D models. Think of performing noise calculations or determining shadow effects in the context of design and licensing. 3D models are playing an increasingly important role.


In the future, the digital mirror city or digital twin that the government needs will be a platform for plans to mature, for policy per building block to become clear, a tool for continuous interaction with chain partners, residents and entrepreneurs in the city and a tool for decision-making and city management. However, in current practice, 3D models are usually developed by the government specifically for a particular project or application. There is a lack of a process and registration in which 3D information is structurally recorded and kept and that can serve as a basis for that digital mirror city. This is an important observation and reason to develop the 3D chain.


In addition, there is the development toward "one coherent object registration," the SOR. This is part of the national program DiS Geo: cohesive development. The current GEO key registers are separate from each other, which means that data on the same object are spread across different registers, each with its own content and updating system. In order to keep the data of a specific object consistent in the various registries, a large number of complex and costly system links and processes have been realized in practice. All kinds of agreements have also been made about the mutual exchange of mutations.


Users also frequently encounter inconsistencies in the various registrations. This makes the use of data difficult and labor-intensive, especially where standardized work processes are sought (such as the Environment Act).


This is why the development towards 'one Cohesive Object Registration' is necessary. Being able to register in 3D contributes to its success. For the municipality, knowledge about objects during the complete life cycle from idea and planning through realization and management to demolition is increasingly important. Practice teaches us that during this life cycle much information is created but also disappears prematurely and has to be acquired again later. By describing objects in 3D from the very beginning and keeping that description, we prevent information loss in that aspect. The 3D description provides the opportunity to record a more detailed description of the objects than a flat 2D map and is often created during the planning phase. It is a shame to lose it further down the chain and have to create it again at the next planning phase.


Standards and fundamental principles

The chain design aims to describe the future chain around 3D (basic) information and give substance to standards and guidelines needed per step in the chain. Information that was already available within Rotterdam but also, for example, within the VNG was used. In addition, various experts from different levels (administrative/executive) were involved and consulted. From all this knowledge and experience, the chain has been described in the chain design. It is partly a description of what the future chain could look like, with some choices still to be determined. All options are thus made clear. The chain design provides a handle for all municipalities to set up their own chain. In this way, various existing initiatives can be given a place in the chain and provided with the right starting points.


This and more can be read in the (dutch)chain design.


Want to know more?

Do you need help setting up your own chain design? Our experts will guide you through this process.


Want to know more about chain design? Bas will gladly tell you more about it. [email protected] | +31 (0)6 - 46 90 97 84

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