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Cardiff 3D Model

More confident design and planning with Cardiff’s digital twin

Explore, plan, analyse and present your work on a survey-accurate 3D model of Cardiff, including approved and under-construction buildings. Use rich data layers to assess site potential, spot constraints early and reduce project risk, all in one digital twin your whole team can work in.

Cardiff in VU.CITY 3D model
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    29
    DATA LAYERS
  • 38 sq km
    MODELLED TO 15CM ACCURACY
  • 15
    Consents approved
  • 143,948
    TREES, ACCURATE HEIGHT AND CANOPY

See Cardiff's past, present & future in VU.CITY

Cardiff consented timeline 2026 shown in VU.CITY Cardiff in 2016 Cardiff in 2026

Models. Data. Tools. All in one platform.

Oxford Carfax Accuracy

We provide the most accurate and detailed managed city models available. ±15cm for all buildings, trees and terrain.

Developments + data

Our public data is available to all users. You can also import your own, private data for your projects. Visualise, analyse and filter large-scale data sets with ease.

3D draw

Test and iterate ideas in survey-accurate context. Draw in 2D and 3D. Mark up plans and create maps with stakeholder-ready visual quality.

VU.CITY ZTV Analysis-1

Generate ZTV studies and viewsheds in just a few clicks. See sunlight paths and overshadowing instantly.

Visualise Real Estate assets and their views out in 4D

Create guided tours and presentations, export high quality imagery and share files with stakeholders for seamless collaboration and feedback.

GeometrySurvey-grade 3D city models
DataA public data library
Design toolsDraw, measure, annotate
Analysis toolsVisibility, sunlight and more
Presentation toolsTell your story, your way

Survey accurate Cardiff coverage

From the city centre to Cardiff Bay, our Cardiff 3D model is mapped to 15cm accuracy.

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Cardiff data layers for contextual viability

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

Administrative Boundaries

  • Local authority districts

Amenities & Services

  • Educational Establishments 

  • Retail Boundaries

  • Supermarkets

Demographics & Economy

  • Average annual income

  • Deprivation index

  • House prices

Energy & Utilities

  • Internet Speed

Environmental

  • Air Quality Management Areas

  • Areas benefitting from flood defences

  • Flood defences

  • Flood warning areas

  • Recorded flood outlines

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    Nature reserves

  • Sites of Special Scientific Interest

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    Special Areas of Conservation

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    Special Protection Areas

Green Spaces & Open Areas

  • Open green spaces

Heritage & Conservation

  • Conservation Areas

  • Scheduled Monuments

Planning & Development

  • Developments

  • Authorised Landfill Sites

Transport & Accessibility

  • National Cycle Network

Hover over each card to see more

Explore VU.CITY's tools

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VU.CITY Cardiff is the largest and most accurate interactive 3D model available

Cardiff is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities with a leisure and tourism sector that generates significant economic and cultural benefits.

Cardiff’s Replacement Local Development Plan 2021 to 2036 aims to benefit communities and the economy, and sets out which areas need to be protected. Supporting a vibrant, mixed-use city centre and regenerating Cardiff Bay as a high-density, mixed-use destination are key priorities.

Cardiff has around 1,000 listed buildings, so understanding development opportunities and constraints early is vital. VU.CITY’s data layers help inform local policy and avoid unwanted hurdles, costs and delays for everyone.

Cardiff’s population is growing fast, with a long waiting list for housing: the City Council recognises the need to work out the right number, type and location of homes to be built. As Cardiff continues to grow, new infrastructure will also be needed alongside the new homes and jobs. VU.CITY’s 3D platform makes it simple for developers and architects to check for approved schemes and evaluate the likelihood of getting planning approval in the future for proposals.

To create a greener city, the council is progressing strategies including One Planet Cardiff, Clean Air Cardiff and its Transport White Paper. A shared digital platform helps every stakeholder work towards the best possible solutions for Cardiff.

Cardiff’s next chapter

Cardiff Bay is set for its biggest transformation in decades. The Atlantic Wharf masterplan is bringing a new 16,500-capacity indoor arena, due to open in 2028, alongside new homes, hotels, offices and public space, with the Cardiff Bay railway line being upgraded to serve it.

Users of VU.CITY Cardiff 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.

 

VU.CITY Cardiff FAQs

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

How can the VU.CITY Cardiff model help with visualising the impact of new developments on Cardiff’s skyline?

The model offers tools like the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) and camera views, which help users understand how new buildings will affect the Cardiff skyline, including views from key vantage points and conservation areas.

What types of projects are best suited for planning within the VU.CITY Cardiff model?

The Cardiff model is ideal for various projects, from residential and commercial developments to public infrastructure. It provides insights into environmental impacts, compliance with local planning policies, and fit within Cardiff’s diverse urban and historic contexts.

Can the Cardiff model support environmental and sustainability assessments?

Yes, the model includes features like sunlight and shadow analysis, flood risk zones, and green space mapping. These tools support environmentally conscious planning by helping users assess how a project interacts with Cardiff’s natural and built environments.

How can the VU.CITY Cardiff model assist in community engagement and project presentations?

The model allows users to create realistic visuals of proposed developments, which can be shared with local communities and stakeholders. This helps communicate design intentions clearly, encouraging feedback and building public understanding.

What data layers are available in the Cardiff model to assist with planning compliance?

The Cardiff model includes data layers such as conservation zones, flood risk areas, and local development plans. These layers help planners ensure that new projects comply with Cardiff’s regulatory requirements and fit the city’s long-term growth strategies.

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.

Make smarter decisions with data-driven insights, from infrastructure to sustainability.
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Unlock the power of Generative AI for optimal design and streamlined decision-making.
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Bring your designs to 3D life with state-of-the-art modelling tools.
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Licence any VU.CITY city and design, test and present your project in its real context.

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Utilise advanced 3D models and a data-driven approach with our flexible ZTV service.
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Showcase your proposal in its real-world context with compelling, easy-to-understand flythroughs.
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