Scenario Explorer

The Scenario Explorer tab allows you to investigate the modelled performance of a single scenario across various themes. The tab is composed of: a scenario panel that allows you to select the scenario or experiment of interest; a central map component; and an outputs panel summarizing the results generated for the given scenario through model simulations.

The Scenario Panel allows you to view the results of one of the experiments by specifying the modeled city and growth strategy. You can also control which theme results are shown in the map and summarized in the outputs panel. Note that the baseline scenario is not an option in the dropdown menu, but can be accessed by moving the time slider to the year 2020. 

The Map View Setting can be toggled between 2D (bird’s eye view) and 3D (rotatable). To rotate the map in 3D view, hold down the right-click and drag the mouse. 

The Legend in the panel indicates the theme attribute or range of values associated with each classification colour in the map.

The Map View is the central component of the Scenario Explorer tab, displaying the parcels and buildings layers for the selected scenario, with buildings symbolized based on the chosen theme. 

The Select feature can be activated by holding down the Alt key and drawing an area of interest on the map, or by drawing directly on the screen for mobile users. This updates the output chart using only the data for the selected features in the area of interest.

The Time Slider can be repositioned to switch between the baseline year (2020) and the experimental year, which will vary depending on the city selected.

The Outputs Panel presents the modeled outputs for the selected theme visually with a chart and relevant summary metrics. You can hover over an element in the chart to see the value being graphed.

Theme Charts

• Land use mix and dwelling mix are presented as bar charts, where the height of each bar is proportional to amount of a specific land use/building type. 
• Mobility mode is presented as a doughnut chart, where the percentage area is proportional to the percentage of all modes that each mode constitutes.
• The proximity chart shows the distances and distribution of distance values for all buildings in the scenario, for each category (e.g. distance to open space). The distances from every parcel are represented within the coloured "violins". Mean is an open circle.
• Energy use data is presented as a stacked bar chart for future scenarios, where the length of each individual subcomponent in the bar is proportional to the quantity of energy consumed. "Tech Retrofit" refers to buildings that received replacement of existing technology in future years at the end of their lifespan; buildings selected for "Shell Retrofit" were assumed to comply with Step 2 requirements of the BC Step Code or requirements of the next higher Step if they already complied with Step 2 or higher; "New buildings" are assumed to meet the BC Energy Step Code.
• Annual emissions data is presented as a stacked bar chart for future scenarios, where the height of each individual subcomponent in the bar is proportional to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced.
• Energy use intensity and emission intensity are presented as bar charts, where the height of each bar is proportional to the average amount from a specific building type.

Scenario Comparison

The Scenario Comparison tab allows you to quickly compare the performance of different densification scenarios. The tab is composed of a series of scorecards summarizing the results of each experiment in terms of Land Use, Energy, Emissions, and Proximity.

The Density Map indicates where the population growth is located within this experiment. It relates to one of the five Growth Strategies (Prevailing Policy, Dispersed, Neighbourhood Center, Corridor, or Transit-Oriented Development).

The Stacked Bar Charts display the shares of different Land Uses, Energy and Emission sources for each experiment.

The Vertical Bar Charts represent the change from the baseline scenario in the percent of buildings that are within 400m of Open spaces, Civic spaces, Commercial spaces, Bike network, and Transit lines.