Toshikazu Seto, a senior researcher at the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, is at the forefront of an ambitious national initiative called Project PLATEAU. This groundbreaking project aims to develop precise 3D city models across Japan, harnessing the power of open data and digital twins for smarter urban planning and disaster management.
“Project PLATEAU digital twin initiatives implemented in Japan focused on overhauling the urban planning processes,” Seto explained in a talk, representing a transformative shift towards leveraging digital technologies and open geospatial data in a country steeped in traditional urban planning methods.
At the heart of Project PLATEAU lies the creation of high-quality 3D city models in the internationally recognized CityGML format.
“The core components of Project PLATEAU provide the 3D city models in large rights of Japan,” said Seto. These models, meticulously crafted using survey data, cover over 150 cities, representing approximately 40 percent of Japan’s total population.
Seto emphasized the project’s commitment to openness, noting: “PLATEAU provides CityGML models and totally open data. If you’re interested in our project, you can use it anywhere and anytime in Japan.”
A key aspect of the research involves comparing the PLATEAU data with OpenStreetMap (OSM) building data.
“We can show that, compared to OpenStreetMap building data, cities covered by Project PLATEAU have more detailed building data, not only in shape but also in various attributes like the number of floors and structural types relevant for disaster prevention,” said Seto.
Beyond mere data collection, Project PLATEAU explores real-world applications that could revolutionize urban management. Seto cited examples such as “traffic simulations for evacuation planning, reconstruction perspectives after disasters, and spatial analysis using GIS tools to understand the complexity of urban environments.”
The project recognizes the importance of public engagement, with Seto describing efforts to “utilize AR glasses and applications to discuss future urban concepts with ordinary citizens based on field work data.” This participatory approach aligns with the broader vision of smart cities, where citizen involvement in urban planning is paramount.
“We would like to suggest your opinion on your city’s situation in 3D city model usage,” Seto concluded. “The Japanese project has just started, but your country’s situations and our knowledge are very important.” This open invitation underscores the collaborative spirit driving Project PLATEAU, inviting global perspectives to shape the future of digital twins and urban planning.
With its focus on open data, cutting-edge 3D modeling, and diverse applications spanning disaster management, citizen engagement, and urban policy, Project PLATEAU represents a bold step towards harnessing the power of digital twins for more resilient, sustainable, and citizen-centric cities across Japan — and potentially, the world.
Featured image: Credit: MLIT, Project PLATEAU
