Urbs has announced Modelur, an add-on for Google's SketchUp that is focused on parametric urban design. While typical CAD software starts with a building's exterior dimensions, Modelur allows users to define a set of final parameters such as build area, gross floor area or the number of stories. If any of the basic parameters is changed, the entire building is automatically adjusted and the urban control values are recalculated.

Different colors represent a number of land uses, with models including residential, service, industrial and mixed use. The software automatically detects planning conflicts, notifying the user if buildings are too close or a built area is overused. An on-screen display provides a list of current urban control values.

Modelur supports terrain import or 3D export with Google Earth. Users can create sun illumination simulations and save the file as a movie. Items from SketchUp 3D Warehouse can also be added to the setting, such as trees, cars and people.

Modelur is still in a pre-beta testing phase. Registration for the pre-beta partner program can be submitted on the company's website. [via Architosh News]