My work uses 3D Geovisualization methods to communicate the effects of shadows in possible redevelopment scenarios. I have done this by re-modelling the civic plaza in three dimensions, recreating a realistic sun using Hosek et. al.’s (2012) analytic sky model, then portraying the perceived experience of a civilian standing in the plaza itself. Through a series of comparative videos, my results are purely interpretive. My initial desire was to quantify shadows to compare building heights, however, this nullifies any reason to use 3D geovisualizations. A means of experiencing the dullness of shade, then, is the strength and result of this study.

Sample Videos:

The Surrey Civic Plaza during Diwali in a 20 storey Situation

The Surrey Civic Plaza in June in a 20 storey Situation

The Surrey Civic Plaza in June in a 27 Meter Situation

Sample of writing:

The Town Square

Ah. The square. There is no place better for one to simply be a citizen. Town squares have been historically entwined with the axioms of liberty and equality. Moreover, town squares have and are, havens for democracy. They are labyrinths of public life and halls of odd, yet accepted behaviour. Great moments of social change are often linked to the town square: The 15-M movement, also known as “Take the Square” in Spain, was born in and had set up longterm encampments in town squares. Said movement went on to inspire ideas in Occupy Wall Street and the Hong Kong Umbrella movements for equality. Democracy needs the town square, as seen during these movements. It can be argued that society owes many of our rights and liberties to the domain of open public space in the cores of cities and towns. Open public spaces are the hallmark of democratized city life, yet in North America and especially newer cities herein, their importance sees not light. This may be due to their lack of heritage when compared to those of European cities, where town squares have intrinsic artifactual-historic value. Nevertheless, they do exist in North American cities (albeit scarcely), including the city of Surrey, Canada where a “civic plaza” completed construction in 2016-17 (see figure 2). This plaza has since hosted many cultural events and even protests led by environmentalist David Suzuki. The plaza was planned and constructed between three landmark sites of Surrey. On the West side is the Surrey Centre Library, to the North is Surrey’s City Hall, to the East is the tallest building in Surrey, the Civic Hotel, and on the South side lies the recently discontinued North Surrey Recreation Centre (NSRC). The City Hall, Library, Civic Hotel and the former site of the NSRC, draw importance here: The Civic Plaza epicentres four of the most notable landmarks of Surrey. With this understood, one can assume the sheer popularity of the plaza. It is used well, and from a planning perspective, has exciting potential as the “town square” of Surrey. Preserving the popularity of this plaza is fundamental in establishing a strong public square. There are concerns, however, around the NSRC’s existing plot, which is being auctioned for redevelopment. Whoever wins this bid will work with the city to determine the constitution of the entire civic plaza South side. They have called this site the “Centre Block” (Hereafter referred to as Site-CB).

Link to Full Report:

DoddsMathewFinalProject_GEOG356_Apr19-2020.pdf

and files:

https://vault.sfu.ca/index.php/s/ivfd1mozuVIcJJX