Exploring Potential Benefits of Visualizing Canopy Cover Change in 3D Gaming Engine Environment

This research explores the innovative use of a 3D gaming engine, Minetest, for visualizing changes in canopy cover change at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus, addressing the pressing challenge of urban expansion on green spaces. We compared and visualized canopy height change for UBC campus in both 2D traditional environment and 3D gaming engine environment and we revealed a consistency between the spatial patterns of canopy cover change observed in both environments. Our findings indicate 3D environment provided multi-dimensional insights into canopy cover changes, offering decision-makers more straightforward and transparent insight than traditional maps can achieve in an immersive and interactive environment. We observed there is a significant change in canopy cover with 25 percent loss in total where Wesbrook community area experienced the most significant canopy cover loss in past 5 years due to rapid urban development. Our findings goes beyond merely presenting geographic maps and attributes from a 3D voxel game perspective. Instead, it will serve as a useful tool and references for UBC decision makers and planners to inform management plan on the pathway of building a green, well-planned community.