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Regional planning technology looks to the future
21 April, 2006
Seminar Wednesday April 26 - 9am to 1pm Lecture
Theatre 4
The University is presenting a Queensland-first seminar on
alternative land use scenarios using computer technology to look to
the future without spending millions.
The state-of-the-art computer technology from the United States
will be demonstrated at the seminar next Wednesday (26 April) and
will explore possible land uses and their effects on
infrastructure.
USC Adjunct Professor, Spatial Information specialist and
Sunshine Coast local, Dr Ken Lyons, is working with visiting
academics from the University of Wyoming to bring this new
technology to Australia.
"Because of our established partnership with the University of
Wyoming, USC is one of the first organisations in Australia to have
access to this technology," Dr Lyons said.
"It allows government authorities and the community to look into
the future and evaluate development scenarios - which is
particularly relevant to the growth presently being experienced on
the Sunshine Coast.
"Rather than spending millions of dollars on expensive mistakes,
this new technology allows us to look at all the possible problems
and benefits of different land use scenarios and ask the question
'what if'?"
"We can look at what would happen if the Coast went with
high-density housing, or, alternatively, what would happen if
development focussed on the coastline and inland areas were left
'green'.
"The computer program shows the effects on future infrastructure
such as schools, traffic and roads," he said.
The technology can display the scenarios in 3D and allows the
user to 'fly' through the landscape.
"Rather than waiting 20 years to discover the impact of planning
decisions, local councils, private sector planners, and government
bodies can use the program to explore and evaluate land use
options.
Anyone interested in attending the seminar is welcome,
particularly those who work in the planning profession.
For further information please email klsis@attglobal.net