{"id":2976288,"date":"2026-07-21T01:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2976288"},"modified":"2026-07-21T06:41:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T13:41:45","slug":"whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/urban\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026","title":{"rendered":"What’s New in ArcGIS Urban (July 2026)"},"author":8122,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[37101],"tags":[767602,406712,34291,765862],"industry":[],"product":[409602],"class_list":["post-2976288","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements","tag-3d-cities","tag-arcgis-urban","tag-community","tag-urban-api","product-urban"],"acf":{"related_articles":"","authors":[{"ID":7671,"user_firstname":"Lisa","user_lastname":"Staehli","nickname":"Lisa Staehli","user_nicename":"lisa8584","display_name":"Lisa Staehli","user_email":"LStaehli@esri.com","user_url":"https:\/\/www.lisastaehli.ch\/","user_registered":"2018-03-26 19:39:56","user_description":"I am a product-minded software engineer & UX designer - combining skills in engineering, design, and leadership. I currently help develop ArcGIS Urban, a web application for urban planners to visualize and plan the future of their cities. I am also an advocate for more diversity in tech & I teach yoga in my free time.","user_avatar":""},{"ID":8122,"user_firstname":"Katelyn","user_lastname":"Thompson","nickname":"Katelyn Thompson","user_nicename":"kthompson","display_name":"Katie Thompson","user_email":"KThompson@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2018-06-26 17:47:19","user_description":"Katie Thompson is a Product Marketing Manager at Esri working on Scene Viewer and XR Viewer. She focuses on 3D and immersive experiences and the storytelling that connects people to what the technology can do.","user_avatar":""}],"show_article_image":false,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-July-12-2024-at-12.05.05-3.png","wide_image":false,"short_description":"Explore smarter urban planning with new tools for densification, filtered metrics, sunlight analysis, and scenario reporting.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

This ArcGIS Urban<\/a> release continues our focus on helping planners understand and shape the future of cities through densification, redevelopment, and\u00a0data-informed\u00a0decision-making. New capabilities make it easier to quantify existing conditions, compare planning scenarios, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Split existing buildings into floors<\/h1>\n

Densification rarely starts with vacant land. Many cities are looking inward\u2014adding floors to industrial buildings\u00a0or\u00a0transforming\u00a0office space into housing. To make informed decisions, planners need to understand not only what they want to build, but also what capacity already exists today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This release introduces the ability to\u00a0automatically\u00a0<\/span>split\u00a0existing buildings into\u00a0floor\u00a0spaces<\/span><\/b>. Using building height, attribute data, or manual input, planners can automatically generate floors, assign space-use types, and incorporate those spaces directly into the metrics for the existing scenario, or compare\u00a0them\u00a0against regulations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Pfingstweid area\u00a0in Zurich, existing\u00a0residential\u00a0and commercial buildings can now be converted into floor spaces representing today’s conditions. Residential units, commercial floor area, and jobs can be quantified directly within ArcGIS Urban, creating a reliable baseline against which future redevelopment scenarios can be compared.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2976468,"id":2976468,"title":"densification-convert-existing","filename":"densification-convert-existing.gif","filesize":10368935,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/urban\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026\/densification-convert-existing","alt":"A GIF showing the process for converting an existing building into 27 floors as part of a densification workflow.","author":"8122","description":"","caption":"","name":"densification-convert-existing","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2976288,"date":"2026-07-10 23:31:48","modified":"2026-07-10 23:34:05","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1500,"height":844,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","large-width":1500,"large-height":844,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","1536x1536-width":1500,"1536x1536-height":844,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","2048x2048-width":1500,"2048x2048-height":844,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/densification-convert-existing.gif","wide_image-width":1500,"wide_image-height":844}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Learn more about how ArcGIS Urban supports densification workflows in this blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Filter scenario data<\/h1>\n

New\u00a0<\/span>metric filters<\/span><\/b>\u00a0make it\u00a0now\u00a0possible to isolate specific parts of a scenario by development status or space-use type. Planners can focus on residential space only, separate repurposed floor\u00a0areas\u00a0from new construction, or analyze the contribution of unchanged buildings. Filtered values can also be used directly in dashboard charts, making it easier to communicate planning outcomes to stakeholders.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Pfingstweid example, planners can compare how\u00a0much\u00a0of the\u00a0population\u00a0comes from\u00a0existing\u00a0buildings versus\u00a0new constructions,\u00a0as well as\u00a0separate\u00a0open vs. paved surfaces\u00a0based on space-use types\u00a0to analyze\u00a0drainage capacity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2976469,"id":2976469,"title":"metrics-filter","filename":"metrics-filter.gif","filesize":7703793,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/urban\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026\/metrics-filter","alt":"A GIF showing the metrics graph being configured to calculate population and the distribution of open versus paved surfaces, helping planners understand how proposed new construction will affect population growth and site drainage capacity.","author":"8122","description":"","caption":"","name":"metrics-filter","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2976288,"date":"2026-07-10 23:36:12","modified":"2026-07-10 23:38:22","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1500,"height":844,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","large-width":1500,"large-height":844,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","1536x1536-width":1500,"1536x1536-height":844,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","2048x2048-width":1500,"2048x2048-height":844,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/metrics-filter.gif","wide_image-width":1500,"wide_image-height":844}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Create interactive reports<\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Planning decisions often require communicating complex trade-offs to planning commissions, elected officials, and community stakeholders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To support these conversations, ArcGIS Urban now offers a new\u00a0<\/span>interactive\u00a0scenario\u00a0comparison\u00a0report<\/span><\/b>\u00a0that replaces the previous spreadsheet export workflow. The report includes pivot tables, configurable charts, and improved support for data updates, making it easier to refresh and share results as scenarios evolve.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2976470,"id":2976470,"title":"scenario-comparison-report","filename":"scenario-comparison-report.gif","filesize":3025690,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/urban\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026\/scenario-comparison-report","alt":"A GIF showing the scenario dashboard for a plan area, highlighting key metrics and demonstrating how to export the dashboard data to an Excel spreadsheet for further analysis and reporting.","author":"8122","description":"","caption":"","name":"scenario-comparison-report","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2976288,"date":"2026-07-10 23:40:37","modified":"2026-07-10 23:41:36","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1500,"height":844,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","large-width":1500,"large-height":844,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","1536x1536-width":1500,"1536x1536-height":844,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","2048x2048-width":1500,"2048x2048-height":844,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/scenario-comparison-report.gif","wide_image-width":1500,"wide_image-height":844}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Learn more about\u00a0<\/span>how to facilitate seamless data updates\u00a0<\/span>in this blog post<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Analyze\u00a0the impact of sunlight<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Sunlight access is an increasingly important consideration in urban development, influencing\u00a0the design of\u00a0green and\u00a0public spaces, as well as the quality of life in residential areas.\u00a0This release introduces a new\u00a0<\/span>sunlight\u00a0analysis<\/span><\/b>\u00a0available across plans and projects, allowing planners to evaluate sunlight exposure and understand how proposed development affects surrounding areas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Using a redevelopment project example\u00a0with a proposed 3D model, planners can evaluate sunlight conditions\u00a0on the facade of the building\u00a0to analyze the sunlight hours per floor.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2976471,"id":2976471,"title":"sunlight-analysis","filename":"sunlight-analysis.gif","filesize":9766720,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/urban\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-urban-july-2026\/sunlight-analysis","alt":"A GIF displaying a proposed high-rise building highlighted in yellow with the Sunlight Winter analysis tool open. The left panel shows settings for the sunlight study, including the time range (8:00 AM\u20136:00 PM), timezone, date (December 21, 2025), visualization mode (\"Areas above threshold\"), and a slider set to approximately 6.5 hours of sunlight. The map visualizes the building within its surrounding urban context to evaluate winter sunlight exposure.","author":"8122","description":"","caption":"","name":"sunlight-analysis","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2976288,"date":"2026-07-10 23:42:47","modified":"2026-07-10 23:44:01","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1500,"height":844,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","large-width":1500,"large-height":844,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","1536x1536-width":1500,"1536x1536-height":844,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","2048x2048-width":1500,"2048x2048-height":844,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sunlight-analysis.gif","wide_image-width":1500,"wide_image-height":844}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Analysis configurations can now\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>be copied and pasted between plans, projects, and urban models. Whether you’re evaluating sunlight, shadow impacts, or suitability analyses, it’s now easier to maintain consistency across a portfolio of planning efforts.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

What else is new<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n