In the event of a disaster, the information we need changes dramatically depending on where we are and at what scale.
For example, inside a high-rise building, people need highly detailed, floor-level information—such as which areas on this floor are unsafe. Once outside, however, the focus shifts to broader questions like which evacuation routes are clear and which areas should be avoided.
Future urban disaster prevention systems must therefore manage a multi-layered data ecosystem—one that integrates and seamlessly connects information across different spatial scales, from indoor spaces to the entire city.
Three data scales
1. Building scale (micro)
Real-time vibration data from sensors installed inside buildings, combined with building structural data such as BIM/CIM models, makes it possible to precisely identify damaged areas within individual structures.
2. Meso scale (occupant scale)
People-flow analysis technologies, using smartphone location data and similar sources, help identify congestion points and movement patterns within facilities. This information can be used to guide evacuations more effectively and reduce the risk of panic.
3. City scale (macro)
By applying image recognition to citywide surveillance cameras and combining this with mobile network data and social media information, authorities can quickly understand the overall situation across the city—such as where fires are occurring, which roads are congested, and which evacuation centers are operational.
Taking on the challenge of seamless indoor–outdoor integration
Traditional GIS (Geographic Information Systems) have excelled at managing outdoor spatial data, but they have struggled to integrate detailed indoor information. This limitation is now being overcome as technology advances.
When damage information from inside a building is reported, these micro-level insights can be instantly reflected on a citywide damage map. Evacuation routes are recalculated in real time, enabling faster and safer decision-making.
This seamless integration of indoor and outdoor information is a critical step toward protecting lives in increasingly complex urban disasters—and it represents a major leap forward in urban safety.
Source: https://supermap-japan.blogspot.com/2025/10/blog-post_27.html
