Three-Dimensional Scans of the Taipei Commercial District

This paper describes an on-going project with the purpose of building a digital urban landscape, of Gongguan Taipei, for academics and practitioners. Precise urban data around sites are provided and professional practices can use the data to evaluate the environmental impact of new projects. Scans were made of a street and surrounding buildings in the center of Taipei city, based on as-built environmental information. A three-dimensional long-range laser scanner was used to record buildings, plants, and open spaces in a static configuration, as well as the records of pedestrians, vehicles, objects in a dynamic form. As the scan tolerance can be controlled at less than 4 mm/50 m, the final urban information management system creates a precise description of objects with colours and textures feasible for internet browsing as well as for infrastructure dimensioning and construction monitoring.