Map Asia 2003 Technology Trends Map Asia Conference 2003 ©GISdevelopment.net, All rights reserved. Object-oriented GIS Data Modelling for Urban Design Presenting author: Simon Yanuar PUTRA Ph.D. Research Scholar Department of Architecture National University of Singapore 4, Architecture Drive 117566 Singapore Tel: +65-6874-4536 Fax: +65-6779-3078 E-mail: sdep1258@nus.edu.sg LI Wenjing MA Research Student Department of Architecture National University of Singapore 4, Architecture Drive 117566 Singapore Tel: +65-6874-4536 Fax: +65-6779-3078 E-mail: g0203425@nus.edu.sg Corresponding author: Perry Pei-Ju YANG Assistant Professor Department of Architecture National University of Singapore 4, Architecture Drive 117566 Singapore Tel: +65-6874-3465 Fax: +65-6779-3078 E-mail: akiyangp@nus.edu.sg Key Words: GIS, urban design, object-oriented data modelling, geodatabase Abstract The latest advancement of object-oriented (OO) data modelling in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) has opened an opportunity in data modelling for urban design. In the CAD realm, the concept of OO data modelling has been materialized in a new concept called “model- based” design, the latest development in CAD-based design methodology. Although OO data modelling has been developed in GIS realm long before its CAD counterpart, it has never been design-oriented since GIS was not initially developed for spatial design purposes. In this research paper, the Database Management Systems (DBMS) is proposed as the foundation for the development of GIS-based urban design support system, which is surprisingly as comprehensive as the GIS application to urban planning. The design of database for GIS is so important and fundamental that it affects the performance of the proposed GIS design support system. We argue that the urban design practice has not fully and intensively utilized the GIS tools because the database has not been designed appropriately for the urban design requirements. Through data modelling, which have entered a new dimension in OO data modelling, we can design a specific type of database to support the GIS application of urban design. OO data modelling allows us to define our own types of objects through topological, spatial, and general relationships, which can help capture how these objects interact with other objects. The data models were generated programmatically using ArcObjects components and Visual Basic for Application (VBA). The OO modelling will be conducted in Unified Modelling Language (UML) scheme style, with a possibility to use CASE tool. Data modelling runs through conceptual, logical and technical stages, which will be finalized in a relational spatial database. A chosen database for utilization is Geodatabase from ESRI, with other possible implementations such as XML Schema. The paper also discusses the benefit of designing the data model for urban design. The data model design is regarded as an essential part of the whole urban design process, where Patrick Geddes’ traditional design methodology “survey-analysis-plan making” are redefined as “data model - GIS spatial analysis – design decision making”. With the adoption of object-oriented approach, GIS data modelling will be able to capture the spatial and non-spatial relationships among urban physical objects. The experiment will use