Project Goal
The Wake Forest Downtown Plan used GIS to help the Town respond to growth, redevelopment pressure, and a future S-Line passenger rail station while addressing community concern about building height, character, and change. Using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS CityEngine, Houseal Lavigne analyzed land use, topography, walkability, mobility, and redevelopment opportunity sites, then turned that analysis into an immersive 3D model residents could explore in real context. The goal was to move beyond static planning documents and give staff, officials, and the public a more intuitive way to understand how future development could fit within Downtown Wake Forest. The result was a more informed public process, stronger support for the plan, and a clearer path to implementation through updated policy, redevelopment guidance, and zoning.Business Problem Solved
Wake Forest needed to plan for substantial downtown change while overcoming public concern about height, density, traffic, parking, and compatibility with its historic core. Traditional plans and renderings could not fully explain how redevelopment would fit within a historic downtown shaped by steep grade changes, a constrained street network, and a future regional mobility hub. Using ArcGIS Pro for analysis, ArcGIS Online for managing and sharing geospatial content, and ArcGIS CityEngine for scenario-based 3D modeling, the team created a GIS-driven planning process that made complex planning issues visible and understandable. This allowed the Town to move from abstract debate to informed decision-making and adopt a plan grounded in both community values and market reality.
Technology Implemented
ArcGIS Pro served as the geospatial foundation for the project. The team used it to create, manage, and analyze land use, parcel ownership, redevelopment sites, topography, steep slopes, mobility networks, roadway conditions, and walksheds tied to the future mobility hub. ArcGIS Online supported publishing and organizing geospatial content for broader access and use across the workflow. ArcGIS CityEngine transformed 2D planning data into procedural 3D models that tested development intensity, building height, and site-specific redevelopment concepts. Esri geospatial content then remained connected to the immersive environment through ArcGIS data services, including the ArcGIS Maps SDK and REST-based services used within Unreal Engine. This ensured the digital twin remained grounded in authoritative GIS data from analysis through visualization, public engagement, and future use by the Town.?
Development Team Biography
Jennifer Currin is the Town of Wake Forest, NC Planning Director with 20 years of experience in public sector planning focused on zoning and land use planning. Jennifer graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Analysis and is an AICP-certified planner.
Nik Davis is a Principal at Houseal Lavigne with 20 years of experience in planning, urban design, and zoning. He leads the firm’s professional services team and specializes in conceptual design, mapping, and 3D visualization.
Jack Carso is a Project Manager at Houseal Lavigne with experience in downtown, comprehensive, and urban design planning. He specializes in GIS, spatial analysis, and practical recommendations that support zoning, implementation, and investment.
Company Overview
Wake Forest is part of the Research Triangle Region located in central North Carolina and minutes from Raleigh, the state capital. Incorporated in 1909, Wake Forest grew as a community of rich heritage, small-town character, and scenic natural areas cherished by its residents. Now home to over 62,000 residents and a growing business base, Wake Forest stands as a vibrant community in one of the nation’s fastest growing regions.
Return on Investment
The return on investment extends beyond the plan document. Esri technology helped Wake Forest build public understanding, reduce apprehension to appropriate downtown density, and support policy decisions that may not have been possible through conventional engagement alone. The immersive 3D model improved communication around building height, topography, and redevelopment potential, helping the Town adopt a plan with clearer guidance for reinvestment, mobility, and transit-oriented development. The work also informed updates to the zoning code so the plan could be implemented, not shelved. Wake Forest is now considering the 3D model as an ongoing development evaluation tool, creating long-term value for staff, decision-makers, and future private investment.