What is it about?
We explore laypeople's involvement in the initial phases of urban design, drawing a comparison between traditional urban design approaches and participatory methods. We propose the potential of a virtual, immersive, participatory design tool to address the disparity between these approaches, enabling collaborative participation and the creation of genuine design outputs. Additionally, we document the creation of this tool and evaluate its influence on design communication and participation. Ultimately, we advocate for the ability of laypeople to meaningfully engage in co-designing their neighbourhoods through this innovative instrument. Incorporating this virtual, immersive, participatory design instrument aims to empower laypeople to contribute actively and collectively to the early stages of urban design, thereby fostering a greater sense of ownership and authenticity in the resulting urban spaces. This shift towards increased participation and collaboration promises to enhance the overall inclusivity and effectiveness of urban design processes, ultimately striving towards more responsive and community-driven urban environments.
Featured Image
Photo by Redd F on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Empowering laypeople to participate actively in the early stages of urban design can lead to more inclusive, responsive, and meaningful urban spaces. By bridging the gap between conventional and participatory urban design processes through virtual, immersive, participatory design instruments, communities can work together to produce authentic design outcomes that reflect their needs, values, and aspirations. This approach can enhance communication, foster collaboration, and ultimately result in urban environments that better serve the diverse needs of those who live and interact with them. Furthermore, by involving laypeople as co-designers of their neighbourhoods, the design process becomes more representative of the community's voices, ultimately leading to a greater sense of ownership and connectedness to the built environment. Inclusivity in urban design not only addresses the community's diverse needs but also contributes to creating more sustainable and resilient urban spaces. Overall, the active participation of laypeople in urban design can lead to more meaningful, responsive, and sustainable development that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.
Perspectives
We believe the shift towards empowering laypeople to participate in urban design actively signifies a departure from traditional top-down approaches, embracing a more inclusive, bottom-up method that prioritizes community voice and agency. By leveraging virtual, immersive, participatory design instruments, this approach fosters deeper community ownership and pride, leading to urban spaces that better reflect the diverse needs, values, and identities of the people they serve. From a sustainability perspective, inclusive urban design is more likely to prioritize environmentally conscious and resilient solutions. Ultimately, our presented paradigm shift holds the potential to cultivate more vibrant, resilient, and socially connected urban environments that authentically embody the aspirations of the communities they serve.
Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel
Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Virtual environments as medium for laypeople to communicate and collaborate in urban design, Architectural Science Review, August 2020, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2020.1806031.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
