Integrated Parametric Urban Design in Grasshopper / Rhinoceros 3D Demonstrated on a Master Plan in Vienna

Abstract

By 2050 an estimated 70 percent of the world's population will live in megacities with more than 10 million citizens (Renner 2018). This growth calls for new target-oriented, interdisciplinary methods in urban planning and design in cities to meet sustainable development targets. In response, this paper exemplifies an integrated urban design process on a master plan project in Vienna. The objective is to investigate the potential towards a holistic, digital, urban design process aimed at the development of a practical methodology for future designs. The presented urban design process includes analyses and simulation tools within Rhinoceros 3D and its plug-in Grasshopper as quality-enhancing mediums that facilitate the creative approaches in the course of the project. The increase in efficiency and variety of design variants shows a promising future for the practical suitability of this approach.