Context
Hack the 6ix 2025
Duration
36 hours
Team
3 members
Role
Full-Stack Developer & 3D Visualization Specialist
TL;DR
Developed a 3D urban modeling tool that simulates sustainable city redesigns using AI analysis and real-time UHI data — built in 36 hours at Hack the 6ix.
Impact
- →Built working 3D urban modeling tool with real-time UHI analysis
- →Integrated 5+ data sources for comprehensive urban planning
- →AI-powered insights for sustainable infrastructure identification
Problem
Urban planners and developers lack effective tools to simulate and visualize sustainable city redesigns that maximize carbon offsets. Existing tools don't integrate real-time environmental data like Urban Heat Indexes.
Solution
A 3D urban modeling tool that simulates city redesigns using Urban Heat Index (UHI) analysis, zoning laws, and AI-powered insights to create sustainable infrastructure solutions.
What It Does
Enables developers and urban planners to design sustainable infrastructure using real-time environmental metrics. Analyzes Urban Heat Index values, zoning laws, and planning data to identify optimal development areas.
How We Built It
React + Three.js frontend for 3D modeling, Node.js backend integrating Google Maps and Gemini AI, Urban Heat Index data processing with zoning information, deployed with real-time environmental analysis.
Gallery
Key Insights
- 1.Real-time environmental data significantly improves planning outcomes
- 2.3D visualization is crucial for stakeholder engagement
- 3.AI integration enhances urban planning insights beyond human pattern recognition
- 4.Multiple data source integration is essential for comprehensive planning
- 5.Environmental metrics should drive urban design decisions
Solution Features
3D Urban Modeling
Interactive 3D visualization of urban environments and proposed changes
Impact: Improved stakeholder communication and decision-making
Real-time UHI Analysis
Live Urban Heat Index data integration for environmental impact assessment
Impact: Better understanding of climate change effects on urban areas
AI-Powered Insights
Gemini AI analysis of street view imagery and environmental data
Impact: Identification of optimal sustainable development opportunities
Metrics
Data Integration
5+ data sources integrated
achieved3D Visualization
Fully interactive 3D environment
achievedAI Analysis
Comprehensive AI-powered analysis
achievedChallenges
Integrating multiple complex data sources with different formats, implementing Three.js 3D modeling for accurate urban environments, and processing real-time environmental data while maintaining smooth visualization performance.
What We Learned
Data integration is the hardest part of planning tools. Real-time environmental data significantly improves planning outcomes. 3D visualization dramatically improves stakeholder communication for complex concepts.
What's Next
Expand environmental data sources, improve 3D model generation quality, add real-time UHI data updates, partner with urban planning organizations for validation, develop mobile app for field use.
Stack
July 2025