Google today announced that the first Models from Cities in 3D programs are now available.Cities in 3D programs is an effort to help local governments add a three-dimensional representation of their city to Google Earth.

                                                                 A number of local governments that have taken the opportunity to participate in the Cities in 3D program , are offering the public 3D model of their city through Google Earth. You’ll now find a virtual representation of buildings in many cities, counties, and towns across North America, ranging from the capital city of Washington, DC to the small town of McMinnville, Tennessee.

                                                                 The models of these cities are available in the “3D Buildings” layer on Google Earth, making information that was previously confined to government mapping professionals available to the general public through the rich, interactive environment provided by Google Earth. By providing easy access to this data, these local governments are not just benefiting their residents, but also businesses, developers, preservationists, and other local groups.

                                                                 Local governments can now better engage the public with land-use planning and redevelopment while fostering economic development. Enabling virtual tourism can also boost travel to these areas, as tourists can now appreciate what the cities have to offer and can easily preview their destination. Sharing 3D models through Google Earth enables local governments to easily manage their virtual representation, and allows citizens to easily and freely access their local government’s public data.

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Google Earth