Examining the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus views using LIDAR data

This study examines the application possibilities of LIDAR data in building a digital model of the campus in three dimensions to: a) assess whether strategic observations point still exist on campus. b) mapping the built landscape across campus. c) determine planning principles for areas of interest where the new building height is considered. The study presents various methods, such as viewshed analysis and raster calculations. It mimics the observation boundaries from critical points on-campus to understand better the threatened interest points and elements that block these observation areas. The height element was a significant component in the analysis, and the maximum height of future buildings is also considered in this way. Out of interest in seeing if new buildings disturbed the balance of nature seen by one of the selected observations points. The study results showed accuracy in the input data that made it possible to build an advanced three-dimensional campus model. This model enables real-time performance to simulate and test the construction evolution of UBC's future built form.