City Analytics Lab
A collaborative space where researchers, planners, and communities focus on tools that support sustainable planning and informed decision-making. Our lab supports collaborative research, teaching, and industry engagement to create more liveable and resilient cities.
About Us
The City Analytics Lab (CAL) was launched on 02 May 2018 by the former Minister of Urban Infrastructure and Cities to support evidence-based decision-making and collaborative planning for the future of our cities.
Established as a multidisciplinary research and innovation facility, CAL provides a platform for exploring and addressing complex urban challenges through data-driven approaches. The Lab supports the vision of creating sustainable, productive, liveable, smart, and resilient cities by bringing together researchers, government, industry, and community partners.
CAL advances interdisciplinary research across areas including big data, open data, smart cities, geodesign, modelling and simulation, and innovative data visualisation. By integrating advanced analytics, emerging technologies, and collaborative research, the Lab enables the development of practical tools and insights that inform urban planning, policy, and decision-making.
Our Facilities
Augmented Reality Sandbox
The interactive Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox is an immersive visualisation platform that integrates Kinect-based terrain sensing with real-time simulation. Powered by the , Monash University,听the platform offers the following simulations:
- Wind simulation
- Fire simulation
- Water flow simulation
- Geological beds simulation
Past sandbox software -
Virtual Reality Studio
The VR Studio enables the creation and testing of immersive virtual environments for research and design evaluation.听
Hardware | x 2 set. A set includes: 路听听听听听听听 1 x VR Headset 路听听听听听听听 1 x Xbox joystick controller 路听听听听听听听 2 x hand-held gesture controller |
Software | Unreal Engine 5 听 *any other software can be installed and setup as required, depending on version and licensing. |
Main Studio
The Main Studio enables teams to interact with digital data and design tools in a shared environment. The space includes:
- An 8-panel media wall of 4K resolution.
- 6x multi-touch digital tables powered by high-performance workstations.
- Integrated hybrid Teams/Zoom capability for seamless virtual collaboration.
- Capacity to seat 30 people in the studio
- Share contents across the tables and screen by just "flicking"
Eye Tracker Studio
The studio is equipped with Tobii Eye Tracker for high-precision visual attention and behaviour research.
It features:
- The (1200Hz) screen-based eye tracker (for indoors)
- 听is a wearable tracker for mobile experiments (indoor and outdoor)
- The Tobii Pro Lab software suite supports data capture and analysis.
- A remote observation room to enable non-intrusive experiment setup and live monitoring.
Our People
- Publications
- Completed Projects
- Afrooz, Aida, Lan Ding, and Christopher Pettit. "An immersive 3D virtual environment to support collaborative learning and teaching." In International Conference on Computers in Urban Planning and Urban Management, pp. 267-282. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019.听DOI:
- Afrooz, A., H. Ballal, and C. Pettit. "Implementing augmented reality sandbox in geodesign: A future." ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences 4 (2018): 5-12.
- Soundararaj, Balamurugan, and Christopher Pettit. "Using eye-tracking to support big data driven property valuation tools." The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences 46 (2021): 111-114.
- Punt, Eline, Aida Afrooz, and Chris Pettit. "Precinct scale living laboratories: Case study of Randwick living lab." ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences 6 (2020): 127-134.
Get in touch
Bookings
To check availability and book the lab's facilities for teaching and research please use the Bookings App.
Please enquire via email regarding other facilities: Eye Tracker, VR and AR Sandbox
Location
Room B07, Basement level, Anita B.Lawrence Building, Kensington Campus, 91色情片 Sydney
Contact us
For any enquires, please reach out to us via email cityanalyticslab@unsw.edu.au
