Expert in Virtual Reality to speak about tourism planning and historic reconstruction at UH TIM School

2006 TIM School 40th Anniversary event

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Kristi Bates, (808) 956-4885
Special Projects Coordinator - School of Travel Industry Management
Posted: Feb 22, 2006

Dr. Richard Levy, a world expert in the use of virtual reality for purposes of urban design, architecture, historic preservation and tourism, will make two presentations on his work on March 6 & 7, 2006 from 2:30 — 4:00 p.m. at the TIM School‘s George Hall. Dr. Levy, Professor of Planning and Urban Design at the University of Calgary will present on two topics, Computer Visualization and Destination Tourism Management and Planning and From Laser Scanning to Virtual Worlds: the Role of Virtual World Technology to Preserve and Manage Historic Sites.

Computer visualization technology can play an important role in both site design and tourism management. Virtual worlds and computer simulation can strengthen efforts towards preserving, promoting and managing historic resources and sites. In the first presentation Dr. Levy will consider how computer visualization can be part of a community‘s tourism planning process.

The second presentation will demonstrate how the development of laser scanning technology has created new techniques for capturing, preserving and analyzing objects, artifacts and sites. Dr. Levy will use his computer reconstruction of an arctic Thule whalebone house as a case study of the benefits that this technology provides to archaeological research, public education and interpretation.

Dr. Levy, founding member of the Virtual Reality Lab in Calgary has won a number of awards for his international work. His work on virtual bobsled tracks was recently documented on the Discovery Channel in January 2006. His work on re-creating historic environments in Thailand has been identified as world-class. His published work appears in journals such as Internet Archaeology, Journal of Visual Studies, Environment and Planning and Plan Canada. While he is in Hawaii, he will be working with the University of Hawaii researchers on developing joint research/consultancy projects.

The lecture is open to the public and there is no cost. For additional information or reservations to the event, call Kristi Bates at (808) 956-4885. Seating will be limited.