The environment that surrounds us is extremely diversified, whilst the degree of its complexity increases almost infinitely any time one attempts to scrutinise it in detail. A tool that makes it possible to present the space around us is digital visualisation in urban planning. If 3D visualisation in urban planning is put to work, one is capable of establishing: locations of its various elements, directions, distances, heights, shapes, spatial relations, etc. These days, the main arguments in favour of using digital visualisations in urban planning are, amongst others, dynamic development of computer technologies and a major improvement in computing power which translates into computers having the capacity to display high-resolution multicolour graphics and animations in real time. Other factors that contribute to the growing popularity of visualisations are also automation of data collecting systems (e.g. utilising data from terrestrial and airborne laser scanning, oblique aerial photos, satellite imagery). However, presentation of all that surrounds us - even if the most accurate models are used - is only an approximation of the reality. Such approximations are known as the virtual reality. The virtual world is a simplified representation of the reality. We use it to more efficiently solve problems that exist in it, e.g., pertaining to giving the space a form. A major benefit of VR is reversibility of processes that have previously occurred in it; this capacity can be utilised in all sorts of forecasts. It makes it possible to test proposed solutions using the representation of the environment we are building before one of them is selected and actually implemented. The authors of this article have presented five examples of visualisations, different with respect to the scope of study, availability, application, levelof detail, etc. The first two out of the five digital visualisations were merely meant to aid project development (they were not the end result of work); at the same time they impacted on the decisions made in the course of project, being represented in guidelines, assumptions and conclusions. In the third case, the visualisation was mainly used to depict the planned investment and find out how the local community perceives it from different perspectives. In the fourth case, the visualisation was referred to in the decision-making process, but did not impact on the end result. Most of all, these were economic, social and environmental conditions that proved most significant in this respect. The fifth case is the Google Earth website, which is being intensively developed. Visualisations in urban planning should support public discussion about adopted solutions in spatial planning projects. Identification of potential problems at the design stage help avoid many space-related conflicts that may emerge at the implementation stage. This form of presentation will surely make it easier for urban planners to substantiate the feasibility of solutions they have adopted; also, it will facilitate comprehension of project assumptions, and later - of public consultations and obtaining approvals from decision-makers. Despite numerous benefits boasted by digital visualisations in urban planning, they are hardly ever used in spatial management. However, considering the vast potential of 3D visualisations and dynamic development of computer technologies, it is very likely that in the future such visualisations will become a popular tool aiding spatial planning.
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