Sim civics

New game-like computer software is empowering ordinary citizens to help design better cities. Can the professionals and the public learn to play well together?

SIM ISLAND. This 3-D image of Honolulu was created using GIS software from the company ERSI, as part of Honolulu's six-year planning initiative. (Image Coutesy of ESRI / City of Honolulu) Image Coutesy of ESRI / City of Honolulu

By Jeff MacIntyre

August 7, 2005

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(Correction: Because of a reporting error, an article in Sunday's Ideas section about urban planning misstated the relationship between the Orton Family Foundation, Placematters, and CommunityViz. Placematters is a program of the foundation, and CommunityViz is a software technology owned and developed by the foundation.) (Full article: 1406 words)