Brighton presents challenges for architects and developers due to its positioning: this tightly constrained, compact city is situated rather like a basin in between the South Downs National Park and the sea. There is limited scope for outward expansion and any development must be sensitive to Brighton’s many characterful landmark buildings, such as the Royal Pavillion and St Bartholemew's Church, together with its strategic views and vistas (particularly if approaching the city from the higher level of the South Downs). 

VU.CITY Brighton helps stakeholders consider such wider, complex planning policies clearly and quickly for effective decision-making and outcomes.

The city’s existing housing includes a high proportion of flats, maisonettes and apartments which comprise 50% of the total
housing stock. 

Brighton’s challenging environmental constraint requires sensitive design, particularly in the council’s identified tall building nodes and corridors. Using VU.CITY Brighton, the impact of proposals can be easily considered in context from various angles, taking strategically important views and vistas into account to protect the city’s character.

Users of VU.CITY Brighton include EPR Architects, Brighton & Hove City Council, Brooks Murray Associates, Leonard Design Architects and Hawkins\Brown who are using the model’s many benefits, from being able to understand and assess a site’s opportunities and challenges, testing designs in context, enhancing pre-app conversations and planning submissions, to improving how everyone
involved collaborates.