The developers of 3D digital modelling software VUCITY have designed a new experience to showcase the technology: a virtual reality Top Gear-style challenge.

Users sit in a chair, put on an Oculus Rift headset and proceed steer a race car through a virtual reality model of central London that is accurate to within 15cm and includes landmarks such as London Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Renzo Piano's Shard.

The technology was showcased at the MIPIM UK real estate conference in London this week, with a leaderboard tracking the fastest laps recorded.

The VUCITY software – a joint venture between communications agency Wagstaffs, chartered surveyors GIA and 3D modellers Vertex Modelling – visualises more than 200sq km of London in 3D, and is expanding at a rate of five to eight square kilometres a month.

The developers believe the “revolutionary” tool can transform the planning and communications process around proposed development and infrastructure projects. Property planners, architects, investors and councils can look at the model and overlay GIS data, traffic and pedestrian modelling, sightlines and transport and sunlight paths to put prospective plans in context.

Users can switch between proposed, existing and approved buildings, zooming from a macro overview of the city to the micro detail of one building.

VUCITY has secured buy-in from a number of London Boroughs and developers, as well as interest from other cities and abroad,” said Wagstaffs MD Jason Hawthorne. “It allows users to see proposed developments in context and integrate data at the click of a button.

“We’re genuinely excited about the solutions VUCITY will help to provide and the new level of future-proofing it offers for the built environment.”

Race around the streets of #london #vucity #vr #OculusRift #MIPIMUK @MIPIMWorld pic.twitter.com/7mPKVm0sWo

— Wagstaffs (@WagstaffsDesign) October 19, 2016