planigi

Planigi is a term used in some strands of speculative design and urban planning discourse to describe a visualization approach that merges planning information with imagery to communicate and test urban proposals. The term is not widely standardized and does not refer to a single recognized method in mainstream planning literature. It is often treated as an umbrella concept that includes layered maps, 3D scenes, and narrative scenarios that illustrate how policies, land uses, and infrastructure might unfold over time.

In practice, planigi involves assembling data from zoning, transportation models, environmental constraints, and public inputs, then presenting them through accessible visuals intended for public engagement and decision-making. Proponents say planigi helps non-technical audiences grasp complex futures and trade-offs; critics warn that visualizations can oversimplify uncertainty or create misleading impressions.

Etymology for planigi is varied, but it is typically framed as a blend of planning and imagery or planning and design, rather than a fixed acronym or discipline. In professional contexts, planigi remains informal and contextual, often used in workshops, charrettes, or design narratives rather than as a formal standard or method.

In fictional or game design contexts, planigi may denote a speculative technology or technique for projecting city-scale futures, used as a world-building device or gameplay mechanic.