Convolutional Neural Networks as Context-Scraping Tools in Architecture and Urban Planning

"Data scraping” is a term usually used in Web browsing to refer to the automated process of data extraction from websites or interfaces designed for human use. Currently, nearly two thirds of Net traffic are generated by bots rather than humans. Similarly, Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) can be used as artificial agents scraping cities for relevant contexts. The convolutional filters, which distinguish CNNs from the Fully-connected Neural Networks (FNNs), make them very promising candidates for feature detection in the abundant and easily accessible smart-city data consisting of GIS and BIM models, as well as satellite imagery and sensory outputs. These new, convolutional city users could roam the abstract, digitized spaces of our cities to provide insight into the architectural and urban contexts relevant to design and management processes. This article presents the results of a query of the state-of-the-art applications of Convolutional Neural Networks as architectural “city scrapers” and proposes a new, experimental framework for utilization of CNNs in context scraping in urban scale.