Augmented and Virtual Reality Applied for Innovative, Inclusive and Efficient Participatory Planning

The research project VR-Planning aims to investigate improvements in participatory planning processes through the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to allow stakeholders to experience designs of buildings and public spaces before they are built. The biggest challenge for participatory planning is to include stakeholders from various backgrounds and with diverse knowledge. Thus VR-Planning examines how AR and VR can be used to optimally support participation in different application areas at different planning phases to facilitate a swift and effective decision-making process. This paper summarizes results from three user experience workshops with citizens and a workshop with an interdisciplinary group of professional planners and academics. Finally, an outlook with usage scenarios in future planning and design projects is provided.