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What is ArcGIS Urban

ArcGIS Urban is a web-based solution that applies GIS technology to urban planning to streamline plan creation, analyze the impact of plans, visualize current projects, and facilitate public engagement. In addition to helping you design, manage, and measure urban developments, ArcGIS Urban allows you to visualize citywide plans and projects in one place for collaboration among stakeholders.

With ArcGIS Urban, you can do the following:

  • View a digital representation of your city in which all urban developments are visualized in one place for collaboration among stakeholder groups.
  • Create and compare design scenarios.
  • Visualize zoning rules in 3D. Convert legal text into a visual representation that you can use for detailed scenario planning down to the parcel level.
  • Generate plausible buildings according to zoning regulations and draw custom buildings.
  • Analyze the impact of plans with predefined or custom metrics.

To learn more about preparing your data, see Prepare data. To learn more about creating plans, projects, and indicators, see the Create publication.

Overview

The overview is visible when you open the app. It contains a 3D representation of your city along with its indicators as well as plans and projects you have access to. These three key elements comprise the overview and can be explored and searched using the left panel. Additionally, if you have the appropriate permissions, you can use functions in the overview that allow you to add plans, projects, and indicators. A user without a login can access the overview, and open selected plans and projects.

Plan editor

The plan editor can only be accessed by those with an Urban license. There are two types of plans: land-use plans and zoning plans. The editor allows you to create multiple alternative scenarios to a plan. As you edit land use, zoning, overlays, and parcels or design buildings, metrics allow you to analyze the probable impacts by comparing your current scenario designs to the existing condition or to other scenarios. Use metrics to understand how your designs interact with a parcel or site. Once designs are finalized, you can share the plan with relevant stakeholders or everyone.

To learn more about the plan editor, see Create a plan.

Project editor

The project editor is only accessible to users with an Urban license. The editor allows you to sketch various design scenarios. Users can draw buildings and enrich the 3D scene, for example, with greenery and street furniture. Once designs are finalized, users with the required privileges can share the project with relevant stakeholders or everyone. You can also use the editor to add 3D buildings that were designed outside of Urban to your projects.

To learn more about the project editor, see Create a project.

Data manager

The data manager is only accessible to users with an Urban license and the required permissions. The manager allows you to import data into your urban model and configure the settings.

To learn more about the data manager, see Prepare data.