Best Urban Planning Software of 2026

Orbital Stack, an AI and CFD web-based program, provides earlier qualitative guidance. It compares a wide range of land-use options and shapes, and highlights any red flags. It allows for climate-conscious, high performance developments that are not possible with traditional studies. Orbital Stack was developed by world-renowned experts in microclimate engineering and wind. It is a game-changer in the architecture and building design industry, providing our clients direct access for wind comfort and safety analysis as well as thermal comfort and shadowing analysis and cladding pressure simulations. This allows architects to quickly understand the climate effects of their proposed building designs and make better decisions, resulting in more resilient and high-performing projects.

Graphisoft Archicad – BIM by architects for architects: Design, visualize, document, and deliver projects of all sizes with Archicad’s powerful set of built-in tools and easy-to-use interface that make it the most efficient and intuitive BIM software on the market. With Archicad, you can focus on what you do best: design great buildings.

You can accelerate your ability to scale by analyzing your site in real-time with your design. This allows you to concentrate on what's most important: making a lasting impression on your communities. Quickly view your idea from all angles. Follow your instincts, draw your idea, and Giraffe will do the rest: overlaying data, querying, and automatically calculating your proof-of-concept. Data discovery allows you to view the most current local mapping data for your site. Giraffe can combine maps from any source and treat them as layers. It allows you to sort, group and analyze them. Engage your stakeholders by giving them a 360-degree view of the potential for a site. For increased community engagement, provide viewer access to the plan. This includes context and images. Giraffe allows you to create something you feel confident in and share it when it's ready. You can quickly review plans in a shared space.

Snaptrude revolutionizes architectural design by enabling collaborative efforts among project teams, which accelerates the building process while enhancing quality. Designers from top global firms utilize Snaptrude to bring projects from initial concept to final construction seamlessly. With real-time model sharing and communication documentation, teams can work together more effectively. Whether the task involves designing a single residence or an entire urban area, intelligent automation and parametric modeling streamline the workflow without compromising creativity. Speed does not equate to a loss in quality or innovation; rather, it promotes sustainable design and cost management through the integration of BIM data. Users benefit from real-time insights generated by automated Bill of Quantities (BoQs), site topography, and daylight simulations, among other features. The platform supports imports from popular software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit and allows direct exports into Revit, maintaining full parametric family data without any risk of data loss. By facilitating collaborative brainstorming sessions, teams can swiftly transform their ideas into comprehensive and accurate BIM models, ensuring that the final architectural product aligns perfectly with client expectations. This capability not only enhances efficiency but also fosters a culture of creativity and innovation in design.

ENVI-met is a three-dimensional microclimate simulation tool designed for various purposes, including urban development, architectural design, and enhancing energy efficiency, by taking into account all relevant climate factors rather than focusing on just one. This software can model different climate scenarios, encompassing both daytime and nighttime temperatures, humidity levels, wind speeds, and solar radiation in urban areas. Additionally, it allows for the exploration of how various building materials, like glass and stone, impact the microclimate of their surroundings. By predicting how alterations in urban design influence both the microclimate and the thermal comfort of urban dwellers, ENVI-met serves as a vital resource for cities around the globe. Given the significant challenges posed by climate change, developing healthier and more resilient urban environments has become increasingly important. Therefore, ENVI-met is instrumental in evaluating the potential impacts of new constructions, green spaces, and urban planning initiatives, enabling stakeholders to make well-informed decisions that promote sustainability and improve community well-being. This capability underscores the software's relevance in fostering innovative solutions for contemporary urban challenges.

Hektar is an innovative cloud-based software designed for generative design, specifically aimed at assisting with early-stage urban planning, pre-design, and schematic design tasks. Created by Parametric, it empowers architects and urban planners to improve their projects by effectively managing the complexities involved in critical design phases. By leveraging evolutionary algorithms and artificial generative intelligence, the platform transforms user inputs from broad concepts into detailed, viable designs and accurate estimates. Hektar’s suite of tools incorporates both geometrical and geographical intelligence, enabling users to specify essential features like access points, exclusions for construction, and custom street layouts. Furthermore, it offers numerical controls, allowing for precise adjustments related to project elements such as building depth, greenery integration, and parking arrangements. The software begins processing intricate information about lighting and sun exposure early in the geometry pipeline, leading to the creation of informed design proposals that can adapt to various scenarios. In this way, Hektar not only enhances the design process but also fosters collaboration among multiple stakeholders involved in urban development projects.

PlanMan is a cloud-based project management tool tailored for architects and urban planners, offering a robust array of features aimed at optimizing administrative workflows and boosting efficiency. This software allows users to oversee an unlimited number of clients, projects, quotes, and invoices, all securely centralized in one location. With its integrated cloud storage, all project documents are easily accessible, eliminating reliance on traditional shared network drives. Each project includes a dedicated chat room for real-time communication, while client emails are conveniently organized within the respective projects for quick retrieval. Moreover, PlanMan provides a client portal that enables clients to access their inquiries, quotes, projects, documents, and invoices at any hour. Invoice payments can be processed online through seamless integrations with Stripe or GoCardless. The software also facilitates collaboration with co-consultants, the creation of quotes using project templates, and the generation of invoices for both clients and suppliers, ensuring a comprehensive management experience. Additionally, this platform simplifies the workflow for professionals in the field, making project oversight more efficient than ever before.

Spacemaker is a user-friendly, collaborative cloud-based AI platform that allows architects, urban planners, and real estate developers to create exceptional site proposals. With the ability to generate 3D massing models of their projects and the surrounding areas through automated datasets, users can evaluate site designs and obtain precise assessments across more than 100 parameters, including factors like noise, wind, sunlight, and microclimates. This software enhances the early phases of planning and design by providing intuitive tools and generative design capabilities, facilitating thorough feasibility studies and conceptual designs. It includes ready-made datasets and advanced design tools for seamless 2D and 3D drafting while offering real-time calculations of floor areas and analyses related to noise, wind, solar energy, sunlight, and parking configurations. Furthermore, Spacemaker supports import and export functionalities in IFC and OBJ formats, automates area computations, conducts microclimate assessments, visualizes variations between different proposals, and generates apartment layouts, as well as view analyses, making it an essential tool for modern design projects. Overall, its robust features make it invaluable for professionals aiming for innovative and effective designs in their projects.

SuperGIS Desktop 10 represents a sophisticated suite of desktop geographical information system tools, offering capabilities for surface location alongside functions like data editing, storage, validation, integration, processing, analysis, and visualization. With SuperGIS, users can perform precise and effective analyses, management, and research across a wide range of sectors, including market research, environmental oversight, engineering projects, urban development, and business administration. The SuperGIS Toolkit includes a diverse array of tools that facilitate seamless connections between different functionalities and enable the creation of automated batch processing workflows. Furthermore, these tailored processes can be shared through SuperGIS Server, allowing universal access for all users, thus enhancing collaboration and data-sharing opportunities. This interconnected approach not only optimizes individual tasks but also promotes greater efficiency in collective projects.

IGiS CAD is a powerful 2D drafting and 3D modeling software offered by Scanpoint Geomatics limited for professionals not only to design but also to plan, execute, and analyze their projects with precision. It meets the requirements of various disciplines including that of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Mechanical, Urban Planning, and many more. The software is very easy to adapt to, high-speed performer, and also provides a seamless transition. It is also very cost-effective making it comparatively quite affordable

TestFit’s advanced algorithms enable you to generate building designs in mere seconds instead of taking weeks. Quickly determining the viability of a potential site is crucial, and TestFit provides you with a complete building model along with real-time financial insights, allowing you to close deals in minutes rather than extending the process over weeks. While feasibility studies are essential for securing projects, they often pose the difficulty of justifying payment for the effort involved. With TestFit’s parametric building configurator, you can streamline tedious tasks—such as allocating parking spaces—so you can focus on what truly matters. You require swift insights into site potential; however, the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Moving beyond traditional spreadsheets, TestFit allows you to visualize your project and present an exciting vision for your site. In just a few clicks, you can create your dream project and inspire prospects about the opportunities that await, making your proposals more compelling than ever.

Maptionnaire is a hassle-free citizen engagement platform. It enables cities, consultancies, and research organizations to easily collect local insights and make GIS-backed decisions. At Maptionnaire’s core are map-based tools for designing questionnaires, collecting information, and analyzing data. Maptionnaire also helps planners and local governments to collaborate, report, and communicate about community engagement and participatory budgeting projects with citizens and stakeholders, as well as internally within the organization. Maptionnaire is a subscription-based service that comes in three plans, each containing a set of modules serving the different needs of effective community engagement. Maptionnaire software is browser-based and works with any device. The service always includes technical support and training. Maptionnaire’s story began when a group of urban planners discovered an emerging problem: there was an increasing need for urban planners to engage the public and to get real input from residents. Mapita Oy was founded in 2011 in Helsinki to provide a platform for anyone to create their own map-based surveys and improve community engagement.

Simplex 3D is an advanced 3D reality-planning platform that enables professionals to visualize, strategize, and construct within precise urban and infrastructural frameworks. It features smooth 360° navigation across city landscapes with a remarkable resolution of up to 3 cm-per-pixel, integrating various data types such as zoning, transportation, financial, and infrastructure information for a thorough understanding of the situation. Users have the capability to import intricate architectural CAD or BIM models from software like Revit or SketchUp, create new designs, simulate different scenarios regarding height, shadows, and visibility, and assess their plans in realistic settings. The platform includes a comprehensive collaboration workspace, allowing project participants to exchange views, bookmarks, comments, and presentations all in one cohesive environment, which enhances the efficiency of approval processes and minimizes discrepancies. Furthermore, Simplex 3D is equipped with engineering-grade measurement tools, split-screen comparisons of past and future projections, and real-time data overlays, thereby removing ambiguity and facilitating informed decision-making. This innovative approach not only optimizes project planning but also encourages teamwork and enhances communication among stakeholders.

3Deling is a cutting-edge technology firm focused on 3D digitalization and surveying across various sectors, including industrial, architectural, heritage, offshore, and urban planning. By capturing and processing intricate 3D laser scan data, they provide comprehensive outputs such as point clouds, BIM/CAD models, and associated documentation, which are essential for design, construction, maintenance, and the development of digital twins. Utilizing advanced 3D laser scanning techniques, they produce highly accurate registered point clouds that can be transformed into 3D CAD and BIM models, 2D technical drawings, orthophotos, and immersive VR walkthroughs, facilitating remote analysis, planning, and teamwork without the need for frequent site visits. Additionally, 3Deling features WebPano, a tailored web platform that allows users to view, measure, annotate, and share 360° panoramic scans and 3D models directly from their browsers. This innovative tool empowers engineers and project managers to examine assets, take precise measurements, provide feedback, and coordinate tasks from any location, ultimately improving communication and minimizing project risks. By leveraging such technologies, 3Deling is at the forefront of enhancing efficiency and collaboration in the surveying industry.

CityEngine is a cutting-edge 3D modeling application that enables the rapid creation of expansive, interactive urban landscapes more efficiently than conventional modeling methods. The cities you design with CityEngine can reflect actual geographical information system (GIS) data or represent an imaginative urban setting from any time period. Instead of constructing each building separately, you can generate a large-scale city model in one go. CityEngine facilitates quick modifications to architectural styles or various aspects of your city, allowing you to explore numerous design options effortlessly. Additionally, you can produce 3D models to illustrate proposed modifications and alternative designs effectively. Your designs can be guided by 3D models that reflect land use regulations and other relevant conditions. You can easily present various design options to your team or stakeholders, soliciting valuable feedback. CityEngine seamlessly fits into your existing workflow, enabling you to incorporate key buildings or other assets to create a comprehensive 3D environment around them. You can also export your work back into high-end visualization tools or game engines for further refinement and presentation. This powerful software not only enhances creativity but also streamlines collaboration among project participants.