For a detailed city map, which model should be used instead of a sphere?

In considering the best model for creating a detailed city map, using a spheroid is favorable due to its capability to represent the Earth's shape more accurately than a simple sphere. A spheroid accounts for the flattening at the poles and the bulging at the equator, providing a more realistic depiction of the Earth's surface for mapping purposes.

A spheroid, which is a mathematically defined surface that closely approximates the geoid, is particularly effective for larger scale applications where precision is needed. It allows for accurate distance and area measurements that are essential for urban planning and detailed mapping.

In contrast, while the geoid represents mean sea level and variations in gravitational pull, it is more complex and not commonly used for detailed maps due to its irregularities. Planar models can represent small areas without significant distortion, but they cannot accurately reflect the curvature of the Earth over larger areas, which is necessary for works involving city-wide detail. A cylindrical model, often used in certain types of global mapping (like the Mercator projection), can introduce distortions, particularly in terms of area, and is less suitable for high-resolution city maps where precision is key.

Therefore, employing a spheroid for detailed city mapping ensures a more reliable and accurate representation of spatial relationships