Instead of Back to the Future, the people of Italy’s Piacenza region are Leaping to the Future thanks to a virtual bridge.

You don’t need a DeLorean to get there, just 3DVIA Virtools and a few engineers, architects and urban planners.

For over 30 years, the people of Piancenza have been waiting for the construction of a bridge to cross the Trebbia river. Price-tagged at 26.5 million Euros, the bridge promises to bring significant improvements to local infrastructure.

The virtual bridge was “constructed” to anticipate work procedures, but it will also be used to feed local curiosity. Once the 2-3-year period construction phase begins, citizens will be able to take virtual tours through the Piancenza government’s website.  You can take a video sneak prevue here.

Now if only I could take a virtual tour of the Greater Paris architecture competition! And what about letting citizens vote for their favorite proposition?

Have you ever gotten to do that, as a citizen and consumer of urban development?

Best,

Kate