Can new digital tools fundadamentally changed the way architects and planners practice their trade?
"William Mitchell, dean of MITs school of architecture, framed the event by envisioning a future of information-rich design worlds linked to fast, programmable construction machines. MITs Media Lab is exploring design tools with unique interfaces; one of the most intriguing is called Illuminating Clay, which lets designers analyze free-form clay models. The models geometry is captured in real time with a laser scanner; using this information, computer simulations of conditions such as shadow casting, land erosion, or visibility are calculated and projected back onto the clay model. A designer can change the models shape and see the effects of those changes right away, which allows design options to be explored rapidly without having to type in data."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: The case for a digital master builder

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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