VLS-LRC, Virtual LandScape in Languedoc Roussillon and Catalonia, is a project aiming to build a thematic network to reinforce regional collaborative projects in virtual landscape and ecosystem visualization.

Computer graphics and especially virtual reality seems to be a well mastered technique, especially thanks to entertainment, video games in particular. This reality sounds different however when it deals with professional uses related to sustainable environment, land-use and so on. Deciders are not yet familiar with visualisation or perception of dynamics and evolutions at various space and time scales, and the technology itself is still far from needs. The fact is that consistent dynamics is still an open problem, while complex system visualisation also is.

Several research teams work on various aspects and approaches of landscape dynamics and visualisation in Languedoc Roussillon and Catalonia. And, in several cases, thanks to existing approaches and tools (some industrial), virtual reality can already be used to contribute to a better understanding of this growing demographic area and its changes.

The idea of this proposal thus relies on local and complementary strengths, aiming at the development of virtual reality tools and their application to environment sustainability on local, concrete projects.

This project aims at midterm to:

- build a regional thematic network on 3D real time landscape visualisation and its applications,

- reinforce initiatives and projects related to landscape simulations, including virtual reality techniques,

- strongly involve regional research teams in regional and local projects,

- enhance dialog between research, industry, authority and public communities on land use strategy and plans.

Building a network of competences on the subject, sharing teaching supports, working together on current and new project will help to organize the community, identify the needs and the means, aiming to point out the key technologies for tomorrow sustainability communication, leading to new industrial developments and employments.

This project was funded within the framework of the Agropolis Fondation - INRIA partnership on “Computational Plants and Eco-Systems”.

http://www.agropolis-fondation.fr/uk/our-actions/on-going-partnerships.html