GenCity 3D Builder

Description Traditional data visualization often hits a "flat ceiling." While bar charts and 2D node-link diagrams are effective for simple comparisons, they often struggle to convey the physical scale, hierarchy, and narrative flow of massive, interconnected ecosystems. This talk introduces GenCity 3D Builder, a prototype designed to bridge the gap between abstract data and spatial intuition by representing complex datasets as interactive 3D cities.

Core Ideas & Context The core idea is Data Urbanism: the practice of using architectural metaphors—buildings for entities, heights for valuation, and roads for relationships—to make data feel tangible. In an era where corporate networks and supply chains are increasingly opaque, 3D environments allow users to leverage their innate spatial reasoning. Instead of reading a legend, you "see" the importance of a company by its skyline presence.

Why This Matters This topic matters to me because we are currently drowning in information but starving for context. I believe that by moving visualization into a 3D space, we can turn the act of "analyzing a report" into "exploring a world." It humanizes the data, making it easier for human brains to map and remember complex connections.

Connecting to the Data Viz Conversation This talk connects to the growing dialogue regarding Immersive Analytics and Scrollytelling. It challenges the reliance on "hairball" network graphs by offering a structured, orthogonal alternative. We shift the conversation from "How much data can we fit on a screen?" to "How can we guide an observer through a data-driven story?"

Structure & Flow The presentation follows a logical "Build to Reveal" flow:

The Problem of the Flat Screen: A brief look at the limitations of 2D visualization for high-dimensional networks.

Architectural Mapping: A demonstration of how to map CSV datasets to a 3D blueprint, transforming rows into structures.

The Intelligence Layer: Showing how "Intel Terminals" and automated link synchronization provide a deeper "source of truth" within the environment.

Guided Narrative: A look at "Presentation Mode," demonstrating how camera paths can turn a chaotic city into a structured, persuasive narrative.

Intended Audience This session is designed for data visualization practitioners, UX designers, and technical storytellers looking for innovative ways to present complex organizational or financial data to stakeholders.