The emirate of Fujairah - now in 3D

A graduate from architect school created a company that produces three-dimensional depictions of cities. The business is now working with the emirate of Fujairah to court investors.

Sananda Sahoo

Fifteen years before it was expected to be complete, zero-carbon Masdar City came alive with all of its details - right down to the underground water pipelines.

Vectuel, a French company, created the virtual edition of the city in 2010, using a technology originally meant for video gaming enthusiasts. A graduate from architect school founded the 3D solutions company in France back in 2003.

So far, Vectuel has simulated urban settings, featuring both people as well as weather changes. It is now helping the Fujairah government court investors.

Vectuel aims to help Fujairah stakeholders in territory planning, management and promotion of the emirate's assets.

Its technology includes a 3D virtual model where decision-makers can simulate and visualize future developments, says Caroline Tasse, Vectuel's Middle East branch manager.

"We publish the 3D model of Fujairah on Google Earth and we develop a tourism platform" to emphasis Fujairah's landmarks and increase tourism, says Ms Tasse, who is also the vice president of French Business Council in Dubai.

The company has also worked with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and Abu Dhabi Ports Company.

Vectuel opened its UAE office three years ago. It now has 40 employees worldwide, and the company says around 15 per cent of its annual turnover goes back into research and development.

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