The SAVE Concept: Sustainability Assessment & Enhancement Through Novel Visualisation

Abstract

The SAVE framework promotes an integrated and iterative approach to inclusive decision making for Sustainable Development, involving three inter-related components; Assessment, Visualisation and Enhancement. The assessment and enhancement components are highly interrelated and must commence together at the visioning stages of projects. This enhancement component requires the development of a full understanding of the ways in which decisions are made on a project in order that the information needs of stakeholder are understood. The enhancement component then ensures that due consideration is given by decision makers to potential impacts on the direction of the assessment indicators at key decisions points throughout the project development stages. At the heart of the framework is a simulation and visualisation tool that has been developed to enable all stakeholders, regardless of background or experience, to understand, interact with and influence decisions made on the sustainability of urban and rural design. This tool takes the unique approach of combining 3D interactive and immersive technologies with computer modelling to present stakeholders with an interactive virtual development. This paper describes a number of case studies where the SAVE Framework has already been applied and outlines its further development and future application.