Investigating the potential of 3D visualisation to enhance stakeholder engagement in natural flood management

Smith, Katherine L. (2017) Investigating the potential of 3D visualisation to enhance stakeholder engagement in natural flood management. Masters thesis, University of Gloucestershire.

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Abstract

i Abstract There have been several recent high-profile flood events in the UK, such as the July 2007 events where significant flooding occurred across much of the UK following a prolonged period of rainfall. One approach to reducing flood risk that has received considerable recent interest is Natural Flood Management (NFM), which aims to work with nature alongside other measures. Incorporating multiple NFM interventions over a wide area, this is also thought to offer additional benefits for water quality and biodiversity. Using the River Isbourne catchment in Gloucestershire as a case study, this thesis examines the potential of 3D landscape visualisation for enhancing the communication of complex spatial information to educate people about, and generate interest in, a proposed NFM project that is being implemented in the area. Early stakeholder engagement is key to the success of a catchment scale project such as the Isbourne, with a variety of interests and stakeholders to consider. A Google Earth virtual globe tour approach is investigated, based on the findings of previous research that have identified the benefits of the technology for enhancing the communication of digital spatial data. This thesis describes the design process and the techniques of Keyhole MarkUp Language (KML) scripting used to build an effective 3D landscape visualisation for online distribution to a public audience. Collaborating with a local catchment group to identify key information requirements, an animated, interactive Google Earth tour was created utilising open geospatial data. End user evaluation, undertaken in both a workshop and an online setting, provided feedback on the developed visualisation in terms of its usability and how effective it was for communicating complex spatial data to generate an interest in this NFM project. The results indicate that the virtual globe tour was easy to use and, although some information is more difficult to convey and there are limitations to the data, it was a helpful tool for educating and engaging users in the NFM approach.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Thesis Advisors:
Thesis AdvisorEmailURL
Berry, Robertrberry@glos.ac.ukhttps://www.glos.ac.uk/staff/profile/robert-berry/
Clarke, Lucylclarke@glos.ac.ukhttps://www.glos.ac.uk/staff/profile/lucy-clarke/
Short, Chriscshort@glos.ac.ukhttps://www.glos.ac.uk/staff/profile/chris-short/
Additional Information: Master of Science by Research
Uncontrolled Keywords: Flood management; Stakeholder engagement; 3d Visualisation
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User: Susan Turner
Date Deposited: 31 Aug 2018 15:04
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2021 21:44
URI: https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/5920

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