In this responsible AI series, we pose a number of topical issues and challenges to ChatGPT to gain insights about its knowledge base and see what we can learn from its “intelligence”. Our intent is neither endorsement nor criticism, but to share understanding of a soon to be indispensable technology.
Preamble: The more we converse with AI, the more we understand that its power and usefulness is only limited by our imagination to conceive an appropriate prompt or question to enter. AI has infinite potential, but also some very crucial and key limitations when used in a general informational sense. This is because changing one or two prompts or even asking it to regenerate a response could yield a completely different response that is not closely identical to the first. This is critical, because in certain fields like engineering, construction or science, the ability to reproduce or verify information is integral for due diligence and quality management planning on medium to large-scaled projects. In the conversation below, our engineering specialist prompted ChatGPT on the same question twice: ChatGPT generates the first set of responses, but on the second prompt, uses more details in the prompt than on the first attempt to regenerate its response to the identically worded scenario.
This suggests that AI will likely have traceability and reproducibility issues when adopted to some professional industries, as invariably, there is always going to be more information that can be added or omitted to a response and AI is not aware of how trivial or crucial the omission or inclusion might be. The amount of information in the prompt could also be “overwhelming” for AI, which leads to the difference in its opening statements. Take note also of the very different guidance statements AI provides when closing its responses.
Professionals and specialists in the design and construction industry would have a comprehensive understanding of the process, so the cautionary note here is to the general public that AI’s response can appear legitimate on the surface, but should always be vetted by a professional.
CBV360:
Plan a city of 50,000 residents for a large property including demolition based on completing all applicable background studies, with all findings to be saved in a GIS geodatabase.
The city should consist of a combination of medium and high-rise residential units, commercial areas for large box stores, parking structures, and cater to employment, shopping, food and entertainment needs of the residents. Local roads will lead into collector roads, which connect to Highway 75.
The design should minimize traffic delays. Streamline all environmental and regulatory approvals based on the regulations and standards for New York City.
Stormwater management should use green infrastructure and connect to the local drainage system without causing flooding which must be demonstrated with modelling. All buildings must be LEED certified and energy efficient.
State how many engineers, environmentalists, planners, project managers, technicians will be required and their roles on the project.
List all disciplines and specialists that are required as well as what construction equipment will be required and at what phase of the design and construction to optimize the design. If the construction schedule is 5 years, what would be a high-level cost estimate to complete the design and how much will the construction cost be separated into materials, labour and profits for the full implementation?
Provide a cost estimate for each phase of the project and list all applicable permits and timeline for approval.
First Prompt – Generate Response
AI:
Designing and planning a city of 50,000 residents involves a complex and multi-disciplinary approach. While it is not possible to provide an exhaustive and fully detailed plan within the limitations of this platform, I can provide you with a high-level overview and the key considerations for each aspect of the project.
Background Studies and Geodatabase:
- Conduct a comprehensive study of the site, including topography, soil conditions, existing infrastructure, environmental factors, and regulatory requirements.
- Gather data from various sources, such as surveys, aerial imagery, and public records.
- Establish a GIS geodatabase to store and manage all collected information for future reference.
Residential Units:
- Design a mix of medium and high-rise residential units to accommodate 50,000 residents.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and urban planners to ensure the design meets LEED certification and energy efficiency standards.
- Develop a master plan for the residential areas, including neighborhood layouts, green spaces, and pedestrian-friendly pathways.
Commercial Areas:
- Identify suitable locations for large box stores and commercial areas.
- Design appropriate infrastructure, including parking structures, to accommodate the expected traffic flow.
- Consider zoning regulations and integrate the commercial areas into the overall city plan.
Transportation Infrastructure:
- Plan local roads to efficiently connect residential and commercial areas.
- Design collector roads to facilitate traffic flow and connect to Highway 75.
- Minimize traffic delays through careful road network design, incorporating traffic signal optimization and efficient intersection design.
Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure:
- Develop a stormwater management plan that incorporates green infrastructure practices to minimize flooding risks.
- Utilize techniques such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, and retention ponds to capture and treat stormwater runoff.
- Model the stormwater system to ensure it can handle the anticipated flows and prevent flooding.
Environmental and Regulatory Approvals:
- Work closely with environmentalists and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with New York City’s regulations and standards.
- Obtain necessary permits, such as environmental impact assessments, zoning approvals, and construction permits, for each phase of the project.
- Develop a timeline for permit acquisition and incorporate it into the overall project schedule.
Project Team and Roles:
- Engineers (civil, structural, environmental): Responsible for infrastructure design, stormwater management, and environmental impact assessments.
- Urban Planners: Develop the master plan for the city, considering zoning, land use, and transportation integration.
- Project Managers: Oversee the entire project, coordinate different disciplines, and manage the project schedule and budget.
- Technicians: Assist engineers and planners with data collection, modeling, and technical tasks.
Construction Equipment:
- Excavators, bulldozers, and graders: Required for site preparation and demolition.
- Concrete mixers and pumps: Essential for constructing foundations and structural elements.
- Cranes: Necessary for high-rise construction.
- Dump trucks: Used for material transport during construction.
- Various tools and machinery for road construction, landscaping, and infrastructure installation.
Cost Estimates:
- Due to the complexity and scale of the project, it is challenging to provide an accurate cost estimate without more detailed information.
- Construction costs will depend on factors such as material prices, labor rates, equipment needs, and design specifications.
- A comprehensive cost estimate should be prepared by a qualified quantity surveyor or construction estimator based on detailed design and specifications.
Construction Schedule and Phases:
- Pre-design and Planning Phase: 6 months
- Design and Permitting Phase: 12 months
- Site Preparation and Demolition Phase: 3 months
- Infrastructure Construction Phase: 24 months
- Building Construction Phase: 36 months
Please note that the above timeline is a rough estimate and should be tailored based on the specific requirements and constraints of the project.
It’s important to engage a team of qualified professionals, including engineers, architects, urban planners, environmentalists, project managers, and technicians, to ensure the successful completion of the project. The specific number of individuals required in each role will depend on the project’s scale and complexity.
Second Prompt – Regenerate Response
AI:
Planning and designing a city of 50,000 residents with the specified requirements is a complex and comprehensive task that would typically involve the expertise of multiple professionals and specialists. While I can provide a general overview, it is important to note that the specifics of such a project would require a detailed analysis, feasibility study, and collaboration with local authorities and experts. Nonetheless, I’ll outline the key roles, disciplines, equipment, and phases, as well as provide a high-level cost estimate for the design and construction. Please keep in mind that the numbers provided are approximations and may vary depending on various factors.
Roles and Professionals:
- Civil Engineers: Responsible for infrastructure design, including roads, drainage, utilities, and stormwater management.
- Urban Planners: Involved in land use, zoning, and creating a comprehensive plan for the city layout.
- Environmental Scientists/Engineers: Conduct environmental assessments, ensure compliance with regulations, and develop green infrastructure solutions.
- Architects: Design medium and high-rise residential units, commercial areas, parking structures, and other buildings with LEED certification and energy efficiency in mind.
- GIS Specialists: Manage the geodatabase and ensure all background studies and findings are appropriately stored.
- Project Managers: Oversee the project, coordinate various teams, and ensure timelines and budgets are met.
- Technicians: Support various disciplines in data collection, analysis, and project coordination.
Disciplines and Specialists:
- Civil Engineering
- Urban Planning
- Environmental Science/Engineering
- Architecture
- GIS and Geospatial Analysis
- Project Management
Construction Equipment:
The specific construction equipment required would depend on the details of the project, but some common examples include:
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Concrete mixers
- Dump trucks
- Pavers
- Surveying equipment
Phases of the Project:
- Feasibility Study and Initial Planning
- Environmental Assessments and Background Studies
- Infrastructure and Roadway Design
- Building Design and Permitting
- Construction and Implementation
- Stormwater Management Design and Modeling
- LEED Certification and Energy Efficiency Assessments
Cost Estimates:
It is challenging to provide precise cost estimates without detailed project specifications, but a rough breakdown for the design and construction phases could be as follows:
- Design Phase:
- Feasibility Study and Planning: $200,000 – $500,000
- Environmental Assessments: $300,000 – $600,000
- Infrastructure and Roadway Design: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Building Design and Permitting: $1,000,000 – $3,000,000
- Stormwater Management Design and Modelling: $200,000 – $500,000
- LEED Certification and Energy Efficiency Assessments: $100,000 – $300,000
Total Design Phase: $2,300,000 – $5,900,000
- Construction Phase:
- Materials: Varies significantly depending on the design and materials used.
- Labor: Varies depending on the duration, complexity, and local labor rates.
- Profits: Typically a percentage of the overall project cost (e.g., 5% – 15%).
Total Construction Phase: The cost would depend on the specific design and implementation details and would be determined during the bidding and contracting process.
Permits and Timeline:
The permits required and their approval timelines would be subject to local regulations and New York City standards. Specific permits may include:
- Land use and zoning permits
- Environmental impact assessments
- Building permits
- Stormwater management permits
- Road and infrastructure permits
- LEED certification process
Approval timelines can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the project and the efficiency of the permitting process. It is crucial to consult with local authorities to determine the specific permits required and their respective timelines.
Please note that the information provided is a general overview, and for an actual project, a detailed analysis and consultation with relevant experts and authorities would be necessary to provide accurate estimates and timelines.
Conversation Summary
AI does an excellent job at identifying most of the key aspects that are required for such a complex project, but it is still very high level, which would be expected with variability in site-specific conditions and investigations. For example, soils investigations, groundwater or environmental concerns can change the scope of work significantly. However, from an engineering and construction standpoint, AI might best serve in a planning role to help create or optimize a checklist of items to consider in budgeting, cost estimation or for discussions with a client. The items generated by AI must be vetted by a practicing professional who is knowledgeable about the process, disciplines and nuances of the engineering and construction industry.
Prompts should be managed so that important details are not missed from AI’s generated response. It might be necessary to regenerate AI’s response or tweak wordings slightly in the prompt to get the best results and minimize the potential for omissions.