SENSORY SPATIAL SYSTEMS SIMULATION (S-4) APPLIED TO THE MASTER PLANNING PROCESS - EAST-COAST AND WEST-COAST CASE-STUDIES

Historically, the approach to community planning and the preparation o f a master plan has involved a two-dimensional visual 'land-use' metho dology. Typically, land has been treated as a surface two-dimensional plane. This traditional approach is inadequate for preparing creative solutions for existing urban problems or more importantly for strategi cally planning and positioning a community for the 21st century. A mor e visionary approach involves sensory spatial systems simulation (S-4) which examines a community three-dimensionally from a spatial perspec tive, incorporating all five senses, and simulating potential planning solutions by using multimedia technology including visualization, geo graphic information systems, and computer-aided design. This (S-4) app roach is being applied for the development of an intermodal transporta tion planning vertical night demonstration for the 1996 Summer Olympic s to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, and for upgrading the more conventio nal approach to military master planning with Fort Lewis, Washington, as a 21st-century model. One research initiative is underway for the F ederal Aviation Administration to develop an S-4 blueprint for the Oly mpics which could have applicability into the next century, by develop ing a comprehensive intermodal plan including vertistops and vertiport s. A second research project has been initiated with the US Department of the Army to develop a three-dimensional master plan, using S-4 pri nciples, for Fort Lewis, Washington, including joint use, multiple use , and adaptive use of space, three-dimensionally.