3D City Database
3D City Database is an open-source CityGML database and toolset for storing, importing, exporting, analyzing, and visualizing virtual 3D city models on PostgreSQL/PostGIS.
Municipal GIS teams and research groups working with CityGML often need more than a file exchange format: they need a database that preserves semantics, levels of detail, and versioning across imports. 3D City Database (3DCityDB) provides that foundation as a free Apache 2.0 stack maintained on GitHub and documented at 3dcitydb.org.
Version 5 pairs a simplified PostgreSQL schema aligned with CityGML 3.0 with the citydb-tool CLI for high-performance import and export of CityGML and CityJSON datasets. Docker images let teams spin up a database and tooling quickly, while companion projects add a Cesium-based web map viewer, legacy Importer/Exporter clients, and an OGC Web Feature Service interface.
For urban digital twin and smart-city workflows, 3DCityDB keeps city models queryable and interoperable rather than trapped in one-off files. The project explicitly supports CityGML 3.0, 2.0, and 1.0 plus CityJSON 2.0, 1.1, and 1.0 through citydb-tool 1.x (3DCityDB documentation, 2026).
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license.
- Supports CityGML 3.0 and earlier versions plus multiple CityJSON releases.
- Mature ecosystem with viewer, WFS, and CLI tooling.
- Docker images reduce setup time for new deployments.
Cons
- Requires PostgreSQL/PostGIS administration skills; it is not a desktop authoring app.
- CityGML 3.0 migration from v4 databases needs export and re-import workflows.
- Some companion tools target legacy v4 and remain in maintenance mode.
Key features
CityGML 3.0 schema: PostgreSQL/PostGIS database model aligned with the OGC CityGML 3.0 standard for semantic 3D city objects.
citydb-tool CLI: Imports and exports CityGML and CityJSON with version conversion options and Docker support.
3DCityDB Web Map Client: Cesium-based viewer and JavaScript API for publishing city models from the database.
Legacy Importer/Exporter: Java client for high-performance CityGML workflows on 3DCityDB v4 instances still in maintenance.
OGC WFS 2.0 interface: Web Feature Service module for serving city model features from the database.
Docker deployment: Official images for 3DCityDB and citydb-tool simplify setup in cloud or on-prem environments.
Pricing
Open source (Apache 2.0)
per month
Free
Software is free; infrastructure costs for PostgreSQL/PostGIS hosting are separate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 3D City Database free?
Yes. 3DCityDB and its core tools are free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. You supply your own PostgreSQL/PostGIS hosting, whether on-premises or in the cloud.
Which CityGML and CityJSON versions does 3DCityDB v5 support?
3DCityDB v5 with citydb-tool 1.x supports CityGML 3.0, 2.0, and 1.0 plus CityJSON 2.0, 1.1, and 1.0. The documentation notes that converting between major CityGML versions during export can cause data loss when features do not map one to one.
What database does 3DCityDB require?
3DCityDB runs on PostgreSQL with PostGIS as the spatial database backend. Official Docker images bundle the schema setup, and teams can also install the schema on existing PostgreSQL servers following the first-steps guides.
Does 3DCityDB work on Windows and Linux?
Yes. The database runs wherever PostgreSQL/PostGIS is available, including Windows, macOS, and Linux hosts. citydb-tool and the Java-based Importer/Exporter run on desktop operating systems, and Docker is supported for containerized deployments.
3DCityDB vs storing CityGML files on disk: why use a database?
A database keeps city objects queryable, versioned, and ready for services such as WFS or a Cesium web viewer. Flat files are fine for exchange, but 3DCityDB fits when municipalities need persistent storage, repeated imports, and API access to large urban models.
Who maintains and uses 3D City Database?
The project is maintained by the 3DCityDB team with roots at Technical University of Munich and is widely used by municipalities, researchers, and open-data programs that publish semantic 3D city models. Source code and releases are hosted on GitHub under the 3dcitydb organization.