Polytechnic Puts More of Dunedin on Google Earth 3D
Imagine being able to move around a virtual 3D Dunedin looking at the city's wealth of heritage and landmark buildings and getting a real feel for the city. This technology is already available through Google Earth's 3D internet map service – but unfortunately, very few Dunedin buildings are featured.
Google itself noticed late last year that Dunedin, arguably New Zealand’s most historic city, was woefully underdeveloped on the Google Earth 3D platform with just one building represented.
Since then, Otago Polytechnic's architectural draughting lecturers and students have taken up the challenge of doing their part to construct a virtual Dunedin. Led by Programme Manager, David Wade, a team of 20 students has recently completed an assignment to create one building each.
"We photograph each building to do the virtual construction. Initially, we built one of the Cadbury buildings, and now the company wants us to do the rest of them," David says. "Since then, our students have created many local buildings, including the Regent Theatre and Bacchus Wine Bar in the Octagon. This has taken the total number of Octagon buildings on Google Earth 3D to three." Other additions from Otago Polytechnic students include South Dunedin’s VTNZ, the Allied Press building, Starters Bar and Hayward Hall.
Otago Polytechnic's buildings have also popped up in 3D. "One of our talented graduates, Justin Hannon, created the buildings on campus which is a great resource for prospective students - especially those who are not from Dunedin," David says. "It is also a potentially valuable resource for businesses, as viewers can click on the buildings and access relevant text information and internet links. At the moment, the Cadbury building provides a link to the Cadbury World website and information about the company, so it's a worthwhile investment for business."
David Wade says any Dunedin business owners who would like their buildings to feature in Google Earth 3D are welcome to contact him to discuss Polytechnic staff or students doing the virtual construction.