Applications, Approaches, and Ethics of the Extended Reality in Urban Design and Planning

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings

Urban planners can benefit from extended reality (XR) technology to better understand data, history, design, and planning options through immersive sensory experiences. Though there are many examples of XR-assisted urban planning, there is little guidance on how to use it effectively. In this review I provide a comprehensive overview of XR in urban planning by examining recent literature. I begin by defining XR concepts and other influential technologies like metaverse, digital twins, generative artificial intelligence, and blockchain. Then, I review six key planning goals for using XR, including urban design, place marketing, planning support, education, research, and planning for metaverse platforms. In addition, practical considerations are discussed, such as public participation, ethics, and technical considerations.

Takeaway for practice

Planners can benefit from innovative applications of XR in planning. However, rather than focusing only on the technology, planners must examine and understand the critical factors for using XR effectively and ethically. Planners who choose to use XR in their projects must stay current with technological advancements and related knowledge, skills, and values.

Keywords:

• city planning
• ethics
• extended reality
• metaverse
• urban design

Supplemental Material

Supplemental data for this article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2023.2275123.

Notes

1 In this article, planning refers to both urban planning and urban design.

2 See a video about the Herrenberg urban digital twin at Dembski (2019).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amir H. Hajrasouliha

AMIR H. HAJRASOULIHA ([email protected]) is the department head and associate professor of city and regional planning at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.