Speaker
Description
Augmented Reality (AR) demonstrates significant potential as a participatory tool in collaborative urban design by enabling real-time, 1:1 scale visualization of 3D design proposals through mobile devices. Given the challenge of fostering quality participation in urban design, this research investigates the effectiveness of mobile AR in enhancing understanding and motivation for collaborative urban transformation. University campuses serve as pilot areas, with university students as the focus group, aligning with universities’ role in pioneering innovative solutions and engaging students as active participants in testing, implementing, and shaping these solutions. Taking RWTH Aachen University’s campus in Germany as a case study, the research explores AR’s ability to visualize campus spatial design proposals, communicate sustainability concepts, and stimulate student-driven initiatives, comparing it to conventional renderings.
The study adopted a theoretical framework based on Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation to evaluate the participatory level facilitated by AR and employed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as criteria for sustainable campus transformation. A mobile AR app was developed using Unity, integrating a spatial transformation proposal for Annuntiatenbach Street—a key site on the RWTH Aachen campus. The app enabled participants to engage with site-specific design elements, such as mobility enhancements, climate comfort improvements, and social interaction spaces. During a two-day workshop in January 2025, 12 students explored and interacted with the AR app, while static renderings were also tested for comparison. Data collection included questionnaires and group interviews evaluating participants’ impressions of AR and renderings, along with workshop documentation through video recordings, screen captures, and an interactive comment board. Findings indicate that AR significantly enhances user understanding and motivation. Participants demonstrated greater engagement, longer interaction times (6 minutes for AR; 3 minutes for images), and more physical exploration when using AR. Qualitative data further highlighted AR’s immersive and dynamic qualities as key factors in improving spatial understanding and fostering a deeper perception of spatial quality.
Within the scope of the case study, both AR and renderings facilitated participation at the first level (informing and consultation), though AR proved more effective in fostering engagement and understanding. Despite AR’s benefits, technical limitations—such as initial setup difficulties and tracking inaccuracies—impacted the participatory experience. Practical solutions, including refining the user interface and optimizing device tracking, are proposed to address these challenges. Critically, while the AR app excelled as a visualization tool, it lacked support for user-driven design modifications, highlighting the need for integrating co-creation features (e.g. replacing or moving tools) to further enhance design-based collaboration. These findings contribute to broader explorations of AR’s role in collaborative urban planning, emphasising its potential to bridge communication gaps between experts and citizens and address interdisciplinary and socio-cultural barriers in urban development. The study envisions an AR-empowered approach, combining AR’s visualization strengths with other digital tools to create more transparent, inclusive, and participatory processes. These insights provide actionable strategies for urban planners, universities, and municipalities seeking to implement AR in real-world planning frameworks to advance participatory urban design.
References
Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). Using visualization techniques for enhancing public participation in planning and design: Process, implementation, and evaluation. Landsc. Urban Plan. 45, 37–45. doi:10.1016/s0169-2046(99)00024-9
Arnstein, S. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. J. Am. Plan. Assoc. 35 (4), 216–224. doi:10.1080/01944366908977225
Bossert, M. and Verhoef, L.A. (2019). The University Campus as a Living Lab for Sustainability - A Practitioner’s Guide and Handbook. Delft University of Technology publications.
Othengrafen, F., Sievers, L. and Reinecke, E. (2023). Using augmented reality in urban planning processes: Sustainable urban transitions through innovative participation. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 32(1), pp.54–63. doi:https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.32.s1.9.
Reaver, K. (2023). Augmented reality as a participation tool for youth in urban planning processes: Case study in Oslo, Norway. Front. Virtual Real. 4:1055930. doi:10.3389/frvir.2023.1055930
| Keywords | augmented reality; collaborative urban design; digital participation tool; sustainable campus |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
