Abstract
Switzerland’s major cities have been dealing with a persisting housing crisis and increased resistance towards densification, exemplified by a surge in building appeals. This thesis investigates the role that hand-held Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) could play in urban planning and the established public participation process of construction projects. The study’s empirical component focuses on participants’ responses to on-site visualizations of a hypothetical construction project. By conducting a between-subject (AR vs. VR) experimental study (n = 42), this research examines how different Extended Reality (XR) technologies influence public perception of such projects and the motivation to file an appeal against them. The results find little to no evidence of diverging perception or appeal behavior between the two conditions. The loss of green spaces and aesthetic utility are found to play a much more important role in the decision to appeal. This research not only sheds light on the impact of XR visualization tools on public engagement but also demonstrates the feasibility of integrating such technologies into the current urban planning framework under real-world conditions. Ultimately, this thesis contributes to the broader discussion surrounding the use of innovative technological interventions to promote more inclusive and effective urban planning practices, enhancing the way cities handle public participation and the development of its built environment.
Garate, Marcel