# URBANMIND > A free web tool for testing urban development scenarios in Greater Melbourne: draw a site, place buildings, and score it with 25 analysis models calibrated to Victorian planning standards. URBANMIND is a free web tool for testing development on real sites in Victoria, Australia. You find a site, fill it with buildings, check the design against the planning rules, and score it with 25 analysis models. Its results are indicative: a pre-check for planners, developers and designers, not a planning decision. Without an account you can draw sites, pick development types, use Fill, see quick figures, and run the Check and the quick analyses on one scenario kept for 7 days. Saving, all the analysis models, drone captures and API keys need an account, which is by approval during early access. As of 4 November 2026. Every model's page states its method, inputs, data sources and limits. ## Start here - [What it can and can't do](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/capabilities): what's built, what isn't, and the date - [A worked example](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/example): a real site's design, Check findings and model results; the data is at [/example.json](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/example.json) - [For AI agents](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/for-ai-agents): what fetching a page can and can't do, the MCP server, the REST API and API keys - [API description](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/openapi.json): OpenAPI ## What you can do - Find a site: Search for an address or place, click a lot to make it the site with its Vicmap boundary, or draw a polygon. - Fill a site with buildings: Fill lays out buildings, lots, driveways, paths, fences, gardens and trees from the development type, sized to the zone's limits and around what's already drawn. - Screen a whole council for where homes could go: Across a council or an area you draw, read lot by lot: how suitable each lot is, how many homes the current zones could hold, and where a target would go. A first screen, not a housing capacity assessment. - Check a design against the rules (Clauses 55, 57 and 58): The Check measures a design against the zone and council schedule, Building Regulations Part 5, Clauses 55, 57 and 58, Clause 52.06 car parking and DDO heights, and lists the permits it's likely to need. - Units: floor plans in apartment buildings, generated and editable: Apartment and mixed-use buildings drawn or filled in the app get generated floor plans: a core, a corridor, and studios and 1 to 3 bedroom units with rooms, doors, windows and balconies. A planner can edit a unit's inside or bring in a plan. - Import your own design (IFC, SketchUp, Rhino, DXF): Upload IFC, DXF, Rhino .3dm, glTF, COLLADA, OBJ or GeoJSON onto a site, or send a SketchUp or Blender model through its connector. - Design on a drone capture or the City of Melbourne's capture: Upload a point cloud of the site (LAS, LAZ, E57 or PLY, up to 2 GB), or use the City of Melbourne's 2018 capture, and see the design on it. The Check and pipe designs measure from it. - Schemes and comparison: Keep up to 8 schemes on a site and compare them side by side, or compare up to 4 scenarios on linked maps. - 25 analysis models: Score a scenario with 25 models across six themes: economic, environmental, transport and access, urban form, composite, and climate and government. Each states its method, inputs, data sources and limits. - Site plan and exports: Download a scaled site plan (PDF, DXF), a site report (PDF), each model's result (PDF, Excel), a BIM model (IFC) and the scenario (GeoJSON). - Connectors: MCP server, REST API, SketchUp and Blender: An MCP server at /api/mcp and a REST API, both with an API key; an extension for SketchUp and an add-on for Blender that send a model, check it and bring the site back; and webhooks. ## What isn't done - Overlays beyond DDO heights: The Check gives every overlay on a site a line with what to do next, and lists what it did and didn't cover, and measures the numbers stated plainly in Design and Development Overlay schedules: height, setbacks, coverage, storeys and front fences. Most schedules' numbers depend on location or conditions, so those are for you to read, and it links to each one. - Accessibility inside dwellings, in part: The accessibility standards (Clause 57 E3-11, Clause 58 D18) are measured on generated, edited and brought-in plans from their doors, paths and bathroom layouts: Table D7's Design A only, not Design B, its 900 mm door path or door swings. IFC models give door widths, but rarely bathroom fixtures, so there it usually stays to be confirmed. - Design matters Clauses 57 and 58 leave to judgement: Urban context, safety, noise, wind and detailed design aren't measured: they're for the application's design response. - Structural and services design: No structural design and no building services. The only servicing is the concept layout of site stormwater and sewer. Generated units place a core and stairs as an indication: it isn't a building-code check. - Construction drawings: Outputs are concept plans and models for testing and discussion. There's no construction documentation, and the app isn't a replacement for an architect, surveyor or planner. - Places outside Victoria: The rules and data are for Victoria, Australia. Some data covers less: the City's heights, trees and capture only in the City of Melbourne, and the heat model only around the CBD. - A Revit add-in, and GIS formats beyond GeoJSON: There's no Revit add-in yet: export IFC and upload it. Sites and results go out as GeoJSON, not GeoPackage. - Live multi-user editing: Scenarios have comments, version history and read-only sharing, but several people can't edit one together live. ## Analysis models - [Fiscal Impact](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/economic/fiscal-impact): Economic - [Development Feasibility](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/economic/dev-feasibility): Economic - [Redevelopment Timing](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/urban-form/redev-timing): Urban Form - [Green Infrastructure](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/environmental/green-infrastructure): Environmental - [Embodied Carbon](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/environmental/embodied-carbon): Environmental - [Biodiversity](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/environmental/biodiversity): Environmental - [Urban Heat](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/environmental/urban-heat): Environmental - [Transport Impact](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/transport/transport-impact): Transport & Access - [Location Efficiency](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/transport/location-efficiency): Transport & Access - [Land Use Mix](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/urban-form/land-use-mix): Urban Form - [Housing Balance](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/economic/housing-balance): Economic - [Seven D Model](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/urban-form/seven-d-model): Urban Form - [20-Minute Neighbourhood](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/composite/twenty-min): Composite Intelligence - [Cost-Benefit Analysis](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/composite/cost-benefit): Composite Intelligence - [Social Equity](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/composite/social-equity): Composite Intelligence - [Net Zero Precinct](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/composite/net-zero-precinct): Composite Intelligence - [Planning Standards](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/composite/certification-eligibility): Composite Intelligence - [Flood Risk](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/flood-risk): Climate & Government - [Climate Projections](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/climate-projections): Climate & Government - [Building Stock](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/building-stock): Climate & Government - [Energy Hardship](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/energy-hardship): Climate & Government - [Cool Rooms](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/cool-rooms): Climate & Government - [UHI Project Impact](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/uhi-project-impact): Climate & Government - [Retrofit vs Rebuild](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/retrofit-rebuild): Climate & Government - [Asset Priority](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/climate-government/asset-priority): Climate & Government ## Guides - [What URBANMIND Is For](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/start-here/what-urbanmind-is-for) - [Your First Project in 10 Minutes](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/start-here/first-project) - [Your Own Site](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/start-here/your-own-site) - [Accounts and Early Access](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/start-here/accounts-and-early-access) - [Reading the Results](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/start-here/reading-the-results) - [Find a Site](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/find-a-site) - [Check It](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/check-it) - [Test What Fits](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/test-what-fits) - [Design It](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/design-it) - [Get It Approved](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/get-it-approved) - [Sell It](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/by-stage/sell-it) - [Platform Overview](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/overview) - [What You Can Do](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/what-you-can-do) - [What's New](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/whats-new) - [Glossary](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/glossary) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/faq) - [Creating Scenarios](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/scenarios) - [Build a Scenario: Sites and Buildings](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/painting) - [Development Types](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/dev-types) - [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/keyboard-shortcuts) - [Results Dock and Running Analysis](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/results-dock) - [Layers Panel and Map Views](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/layers) - [Upload Buildings (DXF / IFC / Rhino / GeoJSON)](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/upload-buildings) - [Analysis Panel: Analysis, Travel and Collaboration](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/getting-started/analysis-panel) - [PAS 2080:2023](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/pas-2080) - [Built Environment Sector Plan 2025](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/built-environment-sector-plan) - [Australia's NDC 2035](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/ndc-2035) - [AASB S2 — Climate Disclosures](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/aasb-s2) - [Plan Melbourne 2017-2050](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/plan-melbourne) - [NCC 2022 — Building Code](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/frameworks/ncc-2022) - [AI Assistant](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/ai-assistant) - [3D Visualization](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/3d-visualization) - [Rules and How They're Checked](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/rules-and-checks) - [Checking Inside the Building](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/checking-inside) - [Units in Drawn Buildings](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/units) - [Editing a Floor Plan](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/floor-plan-editing) - [Sun and Outlook for Each Home](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/home-sun-outlook) - [Walk Through a Home](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/walk-through) - [Overlays in the Check](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/overlays-in-the-check) - [How It's Worked Out](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/how-its-worked-out) - [Growth: Suitability and Allocation](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/growth) - [Sales Sheets](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/sales-sheets) - [Illustrative Pictures](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/illustrative-pictures) - [Designing on a Drone Capture](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/drone-captures) - [Scenario Comparison](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/scenario-comparison) - [Check and Precinct Audit](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/precinct-audit) - [Overture Maps](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/overture-maps) - [Browse Public GIS](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/public-gis) - [Authentication](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/authentication) - [Share, Settings and API Keys](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/share-settings) - [Data Catalogue](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/data-catalogue) - [Developer Portal & API](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/features/developer-portal) - [ABS Census Data](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/data-sources/census) - [VicMap Services](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/data-sources/vicmap) - [GTFS Transit Data](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/data-sources/gtfs) - [Reports & Export](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide/export/reports) ## Optional - [Developer API](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/developer): REST API with API keys, webhooks, and an MCP server - [Knowledge hub](https://urbanmind.terrascout.app/guide)