Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management

Planning and management of urban space that involves the local community the process is key to optimal management of the surroundings, in line with social needs. Social isolation imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic considerably reduces the possibility of conducting public consultations. This st...

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Main Authors: Agnieszka Szczepańska, Rafał Kaźmierczak, Monika Myszkowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/19/6046
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author Agnieszka Szczepańska
Rafał Kaźmierczak
Monika Myszkowska
author_facet Agnieszka Szczepańska
Rafał Kaźmierczak
Monika Myszkowska
author_sort Agnieszka Szczepańska
collection DOAJ
description Planning and management of urban space that involves the local community the process is key to optimal management of the surroundings, in line with social needs. Social isolation imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic considerably reduces the possibility of conducting public consultations. This study hypothesized that such consultations can be carried out using new visualisation technologies in the virtual reality (VR) area. Owing to the development of new technologies, innovative services can be created which make it easier for recipients to absorb new content. To this end, the ArchitektVR application was developed, which uses enhanced reality for public consultations concerning planned land development. 3D visualisation with VR enables the presentation of various aspects of area development in a clear form, understandable to an average user with no specialist qualifications. It facilitates the presentation and creation of multiple variants/scenarios for the future shape of the area. The research assumptions were tested for a disused area of a water body. According to preliminary tests, the use of virtual reality could provide a new form of communication between decision-makers and citizens. Effective and easy-to-understand visualisations might provide encouragement to participate in local matters and enable citizens to make better decisions. 3D visualisation enabled concerned individuals to assess the potential development of a selected area fragment without an in-person visit, either in the field or to an office. This is of particular importance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and sanitary restrictions.
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spelling doaj.art-e0158cf991044db9b63a4f380df9021a2023-11-22T15:58:27ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-09-011419604610.3390/en14196046Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and ManagementAgnieszka Szczepańska0Rafał Kaźmierczak1Monika Myszkowska2Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Spatial Analysis and Real Estate Market, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandScientific Circle of Spatial Management, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandPlanning and management of urban space that involves the local community the process is key to optimal management of the surroundings, in line with social needs. Social isolation imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic considerably reduces the possibility of conducting public consultations. This study hypothesized that such consultations can be carried out using new visualisation technologies in the virtual reality (VR) area. Owing to the development of new technologies, innovative services can be created which make it easier for recipients to absorb new content. To this end, the ArchitektVR application was developed, which uses enhanced reality for public consultations concerning planned land development. 3D visualisation with VR enables the presentation of various aspects of area development in a clear form, understandable to an average user with no specialist qualifications. It facilitates the presentation and creation of multiple variants/scenarios for the future shape of the area. The research assumptions were tested for a disused area of a water body. According to preliminary tests, the use of virtual reality could provide a new form of communication between decision-makers and citizens. Effective and easy-to-understand visualisations might provide encouragement to participate in local matters and enable citizens to make better decisions. 3D visualisation enabled concerned individuals to assess the potential development of a selected area fragment without an in-person visit, either in the field or to an office. This is of particular importance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and sanitary restrictions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/19/6046virtual realitypublic consultationsspatial planningurban design
spellingShingle Agnieszka Szczepańska
Rafał Kaźmierczak
Monika Myszkowska
Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
Energies
virtual reality
public consultations
spatial planning
urban design
title Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
title_full Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
title_fullStr Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
title_full_unstemmed Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
title_short Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Consultations in Spatial Planning and Management
title_sort virtual reality as a tool for public consultations in spatial planning and management
topic virtual reality
public consultations
spatial planning
urban design
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/19/6046
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AT rafałkazmierczak virtualrealityasatoolforpublicconsultationsinspatialplanningandmanagement
AT monikamyszkowska virtualrealityasatoolforpublicconsultationsinspatialplanningandmanagement