Edinburgh 3D Model

Design and plan with precision using Edinburgh’s digital twin

Minimise project risks with our Edinburgh 3D Model functionality. Rich data layers help lower design and planning uncertainty, highlight potential impacts, and accelerate key decision-making for projects.

With VU.CITY’s accurate and intuitive 3D digital twin platform, all stakeholders can expect smooth collaboration, making smarter decisions and help increase planning success in the built environment.

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33

DATA LAYERS
117 sq km

MODELLED TO 15CM ACCURACY
133

Consents approved VU.CITY
746,658

TREES, ACCURATE HEIGHT AND CANOPY

Edinburgh data layers

From transportation and zoning to environmental factors, VU.CITY Edinburgh 3D model data layers provide essential insights for more informed and confident decision-making.

vucity-data-1_edinburgh_amenities_public park or garden

vucity-data-2_edinburgh_environment_air quality management areas

vucity-data-3_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_local biodiversiti sites

vucity-data-4_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_local nature reserves

vucity-data-5_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_special landscape area

vucity-data-6_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_special protection areas

vucity-data-7_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_sites of special scientific interest ssi

vucity-data-8_edinburgh_environment_biodiversity_urban forests

vucity-data-9_edinburgh_environment_landill sites

vucity-data-10_edinburgh_environment_low emissions zone

vucity-data-11_edinburgh_places of interest_emergency services_fire stations

vucity-data-14_edinburgh_places of interest_emergency services_police stations

vucity-data-15_edinburgh_places of interest_places of worship

vucity-data-16_edinburgh_planning business and industry areas

vucity-data-17_edinburgh_planning_cctv locations

vucity-data-18_edinburgh_planning_conservation areas

vucity-data-19_edinburgh_planning_green belt

vucity-data-20_edinburgh_planning_greenspace sites

vucity-data-21_edinburgh_planning_heritage trees(1)

vucity-data-22_edinburgh_planning_listed buildings

vucity-data-23_edinburgh_planning_listed buildings_polygons

vucity-data-24_edinburgh_planning_planning applications_points

vucity-data-25_edinburgh_planning_planning applications_polygons

vucity-data-26_edinburgh_planning_scheduled monuments(1)

vucity-data-27_edinburgh_planning_trees preservation orders

vucity-data-30_edinburgh_planning_vacant and derelict land

vucity-data-31_edinburgh_retail_retail boundaries

vucity-data-32_edinburgh_retail_supermarkets

vucity-data-33_edinburgh_transport_cycle network

vucity-data-34_edinburgh_transport_cycle parking

vucity-data-35_edinburgh_transport_parking bays points

vucity-data-36_edinburgh_transport_parking bays polygons

vucity-data-37_edinburgh_transport_parking zones

vucity-data-38_edinburgh_transport_tramlines

DATA LAYERS

Public Park or Garden

Local Biodiversity Sites

Special Landscape Area

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Landfill Sites

Fire Stations

Places of Worship

CCTV Locations

Green Belt

Heritage Trees

Listed Buildings - Polygons

Planning Applications - Polygons

Tree Preservation Orders

Planning Wards

Supermarkets

Cycle Parking

Parking Bays - Polygons

Tramlines

Air Quality Management Areas

Local Nature Reserves

Special Protection Areas

Urban Forests

Low Emissions Zone

Police Stations

Business and Industry areas

Conservation Areas

Greenspace Sites

Listed Buildings

Planning Applications - Points

Scheduled Monuments

Vacant and Derelict Land

Retail Boundaries

Cycle Network

Parking Bays - Points

Parking Zones

VU.CITY Edinburgh is the largest and most accurate interactive 3D model available of the Scottish capital.

With its beautiful green and historic environment, and thriving economy, Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the world in which to live, work and study. It is a city committed to change.

Edinburgh has created a Local Development Plan (LDP) – City Plan 2030 – that will set out the strategy for proposals and policies to shape the development of the city over the next 10 years at least. It addresses issues such as affordable housing in the capital and makes a commitment to building 20,000 low-cost homes over the next 10 years.

Digitisation of planning and design will be crucial to this becoming a reality, especially with the need to consider the city’s many key views, such as Calton Hill, and the implications of visual impact. Being able to assess project feasibility at an early stage, and work out factors such as density and capacity, saves time, costs and headaches for all stakeholders involved.

The proposed plan will support the Scottish Government’s 20-minute walkable neighbourhood plans and maximise the use of brownfield rather than greenfield land such as with new neighbourhoods at the Forth Waterfront. Using a 3D platform like VU.CITY is invaluable in understanding how to improve the public realm and maximise placemaking.

Users of VU.CITY Edinburgh include CDA Group, Oberlanders, Michael Laird, Morgan McDonnell, 7N Architects and 3DReid - all of whom are using the model’s many benefits. From being able to understand and assess a site’s opportunities and challenges, testing refined designs in context, enhancing pre-app conversations and planning submissions, to improving how everyone involved collaborates.

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Trusted by 6,000+ users across 26 cities

Architects, developers, local authorities, urban planners, and more trust VU.CITY to help achieve their goals.

Organise and visualise your geospatial data in accurate context with our comprehensive suite of digital design and development tools.

VU.CITY Edinburgh: 3D Model Features and Planning Tools

Belfast Consent Planning Timeline in a Digital Twin 3D Model using VU.CITY

Easily import your designs from external 3D software such as Revit, Rhino, SketchUp & 3ds Max into the model of Belfast and test how they will work in situ

Import a Rhino, Revit, SketchUp 3DS Max, or 3D Model into a digital twin 3D city model using VU.CITY Belfast

Microclimate, Sunlight, Weather and Atmospherics analysis in VU.CITY Belfast's 3D Model and Digital Twin Platform

Conduct Viewsheds, view studies, feasibility studies, present concepts, export images and video from the VU.CITY 3D Model Digital Twin of Belfast

Conduct ZTV and ZVI Studies & Assessments in a Digital Twin using the VU.CITY Belfast 3D Model

Collaborate in VU.CITY Belfast's Digital Twin 3D Model. Annotate and tag your team and stakeholders

Collaborate with stakeholders using the VU.CITY Hub, Digital Twin and 3D Model for Belfast

Consented Schemes Timeline

Realise a site’s potential by viewing and assessing recently consented developments across the city, leveraging geospatial data aggregation for precise insights.

Test Massing

Assess multiple initial massing options at an early stage and GEA potential quickly.

Import Designs

Easily import your designs from external 3D modelling software (such as Revit, Rhino, SketchUp and 3DS Max) into the Belfast model and test how they work in situ.

Sunlight Analysis

Quickly view and assess the initial impact of light from your proposed developments.

Camera Studies and Tools

Conduct high-level townscape and visual impact assessments. Agree on key views to analyse further. Select key views and confidently present your proposals to take stakeholders on your design journey.

Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Save time by eliminating unnecessary views for analysis. Understand where your scheme can be seen from and which views are critical to assess.

Annotate with Tags

Mark up comments and actions and easily collaborate on a site or scheme with project team members.

Scope, Design and Collaborate

VU.CITY’s project collaboration space, the Hub, allows you to seamlessly communicate with stakeholders, to make better design and planning decisions, faster.

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VU.CITY Edinburgh FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about VU.CITY's Edinburgh 3D Digital Twin and Model.

VU.CITY Edinburgh provides a comprehensive 3D digital model of Edinburgh, supporting urban planners, architects, and developers in visualising new projects within the city’s landscape, thus enhancing planning accuracy, collaboration, and decision-making.

VU.CITY Edinburgh streamlines the planning permission process by offering a detailed 3D visualisation of proposed projects within Edinburgh’s zoning and heritage areas, helping stakeholders address planning requirements effectively.

The model includes data layers for transportation, environmental impact, building heights, conservation zones, and land usage, all crucial for informed and sustainable urban planning.

VU.CITY Edinburgh allows the public to see new developments in a 3D context, making consultations more transparent and encouraging community feedback. This approach fosters trust and engagement by providing a realistic view of project impacts.

VU.CITY Edinburgh supports sustainable planning by allowing planners to assess environmental impacts and develop strategies that align with Edinburgh’s green and urban conservation goals, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable cityscape.

Explore digital 3D geospatial solutions for the built environment

VU.CITY provides clear, powerful tools for key decision-makers across the built environment, helping them visualise and shape the future of cities with confidence and precision.