UAVs and 3D City Modeling to Aid Urban Planning and Historic Preservation- A Systematic Review

Citation

• Hu, D.; Minner, J. (2023). UAVs and 3D City Modeling to Aid Urban Planning and Historic Preservation: A Systematic Review. Remote Sens., 15, 5507. DOI: 10.3390/rs15235507

• Received: 15 October 2023 | Revised: 21 November 2023 | Accepted: 23 November 2023 | Published: 26 November 2023

• Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.

Introduction and Background

• Drones (UAVs) have the potential to enhance urban planning and historic preservation via the creation of 3D models.

• Despite benefits, there are limitations in adopting UAVs in these fields and a lack of research addressing these challenges.

• A systematic review of literature from 2002 to 2022 was conducted to identify gaps in research concerning UAV applications for 3D modeling in urban planning and historic preservation.

Key Findings

Research Shortcomings

1. Limited participation from planning experts.

2. Imbalanced research focus across topics.

3. Lack of use in special scenarios.

4. Insufficient integration with smart city planning.

5. Limited interdisciplinary collaboration.

UAV Technology Advantages

• UAVs offer low-cost acquisition and accessibility for tasks like aerial photography and mapping.

• Suitable for generating high-resolution imagery rapidly, essential for effective urban planning and historic preservation.

Methodology

• The literature review followed PRISMA guidelines, utilizing databases such as Science Direct and Web of Science, and included English and Chinese articles.

• Search keywords included: "UAV", "3D modeling", "urban planning", and "historic preservation".

Limitations Identified

List of Limitations

• Policy: Regulations restrict UAV usage in urban areas due to concerns about safety and privacy.

• Environment: UAVs can struggle with obstacles like trees, low light, and adverse weather conditions.

• Disciplinary: Limited technical skills among planners can hinder effective UAV integration.

• Hardware: Issues like battery life and RTK systems affect UAV performance.

• Software: High-cost software and the need for a reliable internet connection can pose barriers.

Challenges and Recommendations

• The review stresses the need for more planning professionals to engage with UAV technology to better address urban complexities.

• Emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary research to leverage UAV capabilities across various domains including urban planning, environmental science, and architecture.

Future Directions

• Potential for UAVs to enhance disaster response, smart city planning, and historic preservation.

• Recommendations for further exploration into rapid UAV 3D modeling and integration with advanced technologies like AI and robotics.

Conclusion

• The study identifies significant disparities in UAV applications between 3D city modeling for heritage versus urban planning, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between urban planners and cultural heritage professionals.