nbul 2004 
  
3D CITY RECONSTRUCTION BY DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES TO MANAGE AND 
REORGANIZE THE CURRENT SITUATION 
E. Tunc* , F. Karsli?^, E. Ayhan* 
* KTU, Engineering and Architecture Faculty, Dept. of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey — 
(etunc, fkarsli, eayhan)@ktu.edu.tr 
Commission IV, WG IV/6 
KEY WORDS: Three-dimensional, City, Building, GIS, CAD, Visualization 
ABSTRACT: 
Three-dimensional (3D) city models present and animate all urban features such as buildings, highways, parking areas bridges on 
computer platform. 3D city reconstruction helps to set a base for reorganizing current city structures and it is an important 
requirement to help future decision-making process. A 3D model shows what is going to change and happen at the end of a new 
design. It explains the result of recommended changes visually. To reach a beneficial decision, it convinces decision maker by 
providing sufficient argument. Simulating real world and reconstructing planned projects trains the related user to evaluate possible 
results. 3D models make perceiving real world easy. There are many application areas such as urban planning, archeology, virtual 
tourism, simulation, restoration.. etc. for 3D reconstruction. In this study different methods and data acquisition techniques were 
examined for 3D city modeling. Various pilot works were done with using of the Photogrammetry and the GIS. For example, in 
Photogrammetric application, 3D model building started with the acquisition of the sufficient image data and was completed by 
constructing graphical data. In GIS application, graphic and non-graphic data related to a local urban area were collected to integrate 
and update information about created 3D model and GIS infrastructure was built depending on data base design. Each technique was 
tested in view of their usability, ease, effectiveness, and the optimum way in building 3D city was determined, depending on used 
data and requirements in the case study. 
1. INTRODUCTION the information necessary to view and recognize each object 
from all sides ( Varshosaz, 2003). 
Three-dimensional city models are usually comprised of a 
description of the terrain, streets, buildings and vegetation in Building models an important part thereof, even though it has to 
build-up areas. Interest in 3 Dimensional (3D) building models be noted that for many applications, additional information is 
has raised significantly in the past years. Originally, simulations necessary. For example, a faithful representation for virtual 
for propagation of electromagnetic waves were thought of being reality applications can only be obtained when the texture of the 
one of the major application areas. These are used by network ground, roofs and facades is present and important details like 
operators for the planning of antenna locations. Although there trees, walkways and fences are present (Brenner et al., 2001). 
might be an additional need in the near future due to the other Such three dimensional realistic representation provides 
areas evolving, for example 3D car navigation systems, virtual designers, planners, the public, and the others with imagery 
tourism information systems and visualization for city and closely coupled with the human experience and, hence, is of 
building planning or architectural contests (Brenner et al, great interest (Varshosaz, 2003). With an effective use of 
2001). generated 3D city model, it is possible to quickly provide height 
data and engineer preventative measures for the civil protection 
Many cities in the second and third world experience currently in the affected region. 
strong urbanization and are expanding fast. Due to the 
improvement of transportation infrastructures, rural migration The biggest advantage of the 3D model is its mobility 
as well as high natural birth rates, expanding economies and the (Sauerbier and Lambers, 2003) and its convince effect on users 
effects of globalization in general, these cities increase quickly for future decision making processes. It can be shown 
in size and get a regional extend. Meanwhile, planning remains everywhere and allows people who cannot or do not want to 
mostly local and focused on the main urban area of a region, travel to get to know the region all the same. Also by creating a 
while urbanization — prevalently occurs outside of it. virtual flight through the 3D model can substitute a rcal flight 
Development is often so rapid that traditional maps are even not over the region that many people cannot afford. By this way it 
any more accurate enough to serve as a planning basis. And is hoped that the model will help to make the local population 
also these development dynamics are so strong, that the aware of the richness of their cultural heritage and of the need 
traditional maps as a basis for planning are often out of date or to preserve it. 
are in certain cases just not available. However, to monitor, Thus, the 3D model is a valuable tool also for archaeological 
control and guide these development trends, up-to date maps researches. In the first plan investigate the topography, the 
are needed as a basis for urban and regional planning (Zhang et visibility, and the accessibility of the historical sites are basic 
al., 2002). ideas, but there are many more interesting aspects. Static views 
of the 3D model can furthermore serve as illustrations in 
The Visually Realistic Model (VRM) of a city is a digital 3D publications. All these investigations have in common that a 
representation of existing objects within a town that contains all 
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