## 1 Introduction  
Before the advent of geographical information systems (GIS), planners were limited in their ability to simulate and explore _what if?_ scenarios using computer-based digital worlds. It is a difficult task for the brain to look at paper-based maps and mentally overlay and query multiple data layers and visualise the results. Paper based approaches do not enable landscape planners, policy makers and scientists who need to deal with a myriad of datasets and computer simulation models to explore decision spaces interactively and in near-real time. Data driven visualisations are often intended to provide a realistic surrogate for actual environments and can enable planners and decision makers to explore real decisions through simulated space and place. [PERSON] _et al._[1] state that the necessary selection of landscape elements to create such landscape visualisations often raises complex psychological, ethical and technical issues. In this paper we will not focus on the psychological and ethical issues of data visualisation, rather on technical issues in building an integrated suite of geo-visualisation tools to support landscape planning. The advancement in computer technologies, not only in terms of computer networking, but also in hardware support, provides opportunities for landscape visualisation approaches to support planning and decision-making. Landscape visualisation is focused on creating a 3D virtual environment to view and understand the environmental processes in a more informative way in order to recognise and comprehend the unseen relationships between various entities, and the environmental processes. Landscape visualisation has substantial advantages as an investigative and communication medium in designing these new landscapes and enhancing the debate around complex multi-dimensional problems such as climate change [2]. 3D virtual environment creation with real data might include both manual and/or automated processes using computers. Looking at the real world where we see millions of entities to be modelled to represent natural and built features there is much to be done in digital object creation. Object creation, not only two dimensional (2D), but also three dimensional (3D), needs expertise and access to good modelling tools and resources. The Google 3D warehouse ([[http://sketchup.google.com/3](http://sketchup.google.com/3) dwarehouse/]([http://sketchup.google.com/3](http://sketchup.google.com/3) dwarehouse/)) is an example of the recent advancements in publically accessible 3D object repositories. Storing these objects in a common repository over a computer network requires a dedicated object data warehouse which enables users to access these objects from anywhere at anytime. [PERSON] _et al._[3] stated that spatial data access can be supported by the various abstract techniques of geo-visualisation. Incorporating scientific data along with the digital object representations is a challenging task and one which we endeavoured to address in our research. Landscape management is a complex process and requires multiple stakeholders and experts from a range of disciplines to work together to collaboratively design and evaluate future options. Likewise,landscape perception is multifaceted, and leaves room for improving existing landscapes in a 3D virtual world [4]. Stakeholders from across industries, people from different backgrounds, scientists and planners are all important players in landscape planning. Therefore, supporting a collaborative approach requires having spaces where stakeholders and experts can explore land management futures. There are a number of technology tools that can assist in participatory planning exercises, including spatial information tools such as geographical information systems (GIS) and haptic devices such as touch screens.