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Urban Development

January 14, 2025

4 Time-Saving Hektar AI Features for Improved Urban Planning

Sofia Malmsten

CEO & Architect

Urban planning is a complex process that requires balancing design creativity with regulatory compliance, all while meeting tight deadlines. At Hektar AI, we believe that technology should make this process faster, smarter, and more efficient. That’s why our Massing Generator is built to help urban designers and planners automate repetitive tasks, optimize designs, and focus on creating livable, sustainable cities.

In this article we discover four powerful, time-saving features of Hektar AI’s Massing Generator that can transform the way you work.

1. Instant Massing Generation Based on Zoning Rules

Designing within zoning regulations is one of the most time-consuming aspects of urban planning. Hektar AI simplifies this process by automatically generating massing layouts based on local zoning rules, such as:

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

• Building height restrictions

• Setbacks and lot coverage (SCR)

How it saves time:

Instead of manually calculating and testing massing options to fit zoning requirements, Hektar AI generates compliant designs instantly. With a few clicks, you can visualize multiple scenarios, saving hours of trial and error.

Read more about these three main metrics for urban planners in our previous article

2. Real-Time Feedback on Key Urban Metrics

Every decision in the early design stages impacts the success of the final project. Hektar AI provides real-time updates on critical metrics, such as:

• Gross-to-Net Ratio

• Open Space Ratio (OSR)

• Usable floor area

How it saves time:

You no longer need to switch between spreadsheets or perform manual recalculations. Hektar AI integrates these metrics directly into your workflow, allowing you to evaluate the impact of design changes immediately.

Generated 3d volumes and urban typologies in Hektar AI
Generated 3d volumes and urban typologies in Hektar AI

3. Scenario Testing for Multiple Design Options

Urban planning often involves exploring multiple design scenarios to find the most optimal solution. Hektar AI’s Massing Generator enables you to:

• Test different configurations (e.g., density, building heights, land use distribution).

• Compare the outcomes of various designs side by side.

How it saves time:

By automating scenario testing, Hektar AI allows you to quickly identify the most efficient and sustainable option. This feature eliminates the need for manual revisions and accelerates decision-making.

Compare generated urban volume options in Hektar AI
Compare generated urban volume options in Hektar AI

4. Seamless Integration with 3D

Modeling Tools

Hektar AI’s Massing Generator is designed to work with industry-standard 3D modeling tools like Rhino, SketchUp, or Revit. Once your massing layout is ready, you can easily export to both .obj and .3dm for further refinement or presentation.

How it saves time:

Rather than starting from scratch in your modeling software, Hektar AI provides a solid foundation that can be refined with minimal effort. This integration reduces redundancy and ensures consistency across your design tools.

Export models from Hektar AI to Rhino 3d
Export models from Hektar AI

Why Choose Hektar AI?

Hektar AI is not just a tool—it’s a partner in helping urban designers and planners overcome the challenges of modern city development. By automating tedious tasks and providing real-time insights, Hektar AI empowers you to deliver projects faster and with greater

Curious to try? Sign up here