PLATEAU is a national initiative led by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) aimed at developing, utilizing, and sharing 3D city models as foundational infrastructure for building digital twins. Aligned with Japan’s Society 5.0 vision, the project addresses urban and societal challenges through a human-centered integration of physical and digital spaces. Since its launch in 2020, PLATEAU has supported the creation of open, interoperable 3D data across 200+ municipalities, promoting resilience, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Key Features

• Governance Framework
  Led by the national government, enabling support for municipalities through funding and core development. Adoption of OGC’s CityGML as the standard data model ensures interoperability while allowing for local customization. Legal mandates ensure continuity through integration with municipalities’ legally regulated 2D base map updates.
• Data and Technology
  All 3D models are freely accessible via the Geospatial Information Center, a one-stop portal aggregating government, industry, and academic geospatial data. Open-source tools developed under PLATEAU include: LOD2 Building Model Generation Tool using AI to generate detailed models from point clouds and outlines. PLATEAU SDK, which enables non-specialists to build applications or simulations with 3D city models.
• People and Community
  The PLATEAU Consortium connects stakeholders from government, academia, and industry, supporting shared learning and problem-solving. PLATEAU-Next innovation events (e.g., hackathons, workshops) drive community-driven application development and open innovation. Continuous knowledge sharing through tutorials, technical handbooks, and user guides.

Benefits & Impact

• Supports National Digital Twin Infrastructure
  Provides scalable, open-access 3D city models foundational for smart city planning, disaster response, and urban resilience.
• Reduces Local Burden with Central Support
  Enables municipalities with limited resources to participate in national SDI development through shared tools and funding.
• Enhances Interoperability and Reuse
  Standardized CityGML data model promotes consistent data sharing across jurisdictions and systems.
• Fosters Innovation and Collaboration
  Consortium and events foster cross-sector partnerships and have led to the creation of new ventures and apps.
• Sustainable Update Model
  Aligns with municipalities’ five-year base map update cycles, ensuring regular 3D model maintenance.

Use Cases

• Urban planning and sSimulation
• Disaster preparedness and resilience
• Academic and civic innovation
• Digital preservation and public access
• Stakeholder engagement