Page 42 - A U4SSC deliverable - Accelerating city transformation using frontier technologies

human anatomy. For example, the HoloLens has been helping doctors, nurses and students to visualise
different stages of pregnancy by giving them a real-time, three-dimensional view of the anatomy,
helping them to gain a better understanding and improved practice techniques for delivery. AR-
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enabled glasses are also helping patients to stay fit by tracking and visualising data and information
on their health condition in real time and encouraging them to take the recommended steps to stay
healthy. In addition, AR devices are helping doctors to practice techniques for surgery, and even
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assisting in locating cancerous cells. 124

On the other hand, VR can create immersive scenarios that support cities in their education, urban
planning and water management. VR can provide interactive and immersive experiences that traditional
educational tools cannot. Through VR, students can travel to the past and to an imaginary future, from
visiting dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period to living on Mars. Students using VR equipment would be
able to interact with key elements as in the physical world. In addition, VR also encourages remote
learning in a safe environment, which could be helpful for connecting with the peripheral areas of
cities.
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“VR can create immersive scenarios that support cities in
their education, urban planning and water management”

VR can also assist in urban planning. 3-D visualisation tools are crucial for city engineers and builders
to develop blueprints for constructions that are sustainable and energy-efficient. VR can provide them
with an interactive tool to visualise how their models would fit into the real world and make adjustments
accordingly. VR tools are giving citizens new ways to participate in urban development projects. Builders
can provide a VR tour on the infrastructure that is going to be built and consult citizens for their concerns
and opinions. 126

VR can improve water management in cities by
improving the water distribution network (WDN)
and the information that is being presented. WDN
are networks of water sources that consist of pipe
segments, nodes, water sources, water tanks and
pump stations. Simulations and modelling are crucial
to visualising all the information of a WDN, in turn
providing planners and operators with the information
needed to address any problem within a WDN. VR
can enhance this simulation process significantly by
providing geospatial, three-dimensional data that
enables operators to take appropriate actions. In
2012, a VR scene simulation system for WDN with an
integrated EPANET, which is a water distribution system modelling software, was developed to enhance
the performance and services of water utilities. Through this VR system, users can visualise updating the
scenario of WDN in a three-dimensional virtual environment and test operations from modifying the
schedule of the pumps to changing the velocity and pressure values. 127

32 Accelerating city transformation using frontier technologies | A U4SSC deliverable