Retooling Urban Planning in Cities of Less Developed Countries using 3D City Models

Abstract

Most cities in Nigeria lack effective planning and management tools for the complicated problems in the city. As a result, both urban master plans and detailed plans in Nigeria fail to guide and manage urban growth effectively. Urban planning in Nigeria till present still depends on 2D plans. This partly has been due to the high acquisition cost for digital terrain models (DTMs) and 3D city models. In this paper, a 3D city modelling of Lagos Island was attempted to demonstrate its usefulness as a tool for planning and managing urban development. Using both attribute and spatial datasets, a LoD1 3D city model of Lagos Island was
developed. The model showed a highly dense and complex vertical landscape. It suggests a possible future development of a vertical slum. The paper emphasizes the prospects for the development of a 3D city model for cities in Nigeria. It recommends the adoption of 3D city modelling as an important spatial planning tool for planning and managing cities in Nigeria.