Learn how location-based AR can help you to visualize, simulate, analyze, educate, engage, and innovate in urban planning and design.

Imagine you could walk down the street and see a proposed building 'right there' – not on a screen, but casting shadows on the sidewalk. That's location-based augmented reality (AR), and it's way more than a cool visual trick for city planners. Think about it: AR lets you test how a new park affects foot traffic or where a noisy development might be a problem before spending millions. That's perspective, not just perception. (I've found it super helpful for explaining complex projects to stakeholders!) Want to get the community involved? AR makes designs tangible for everyone. Instead of confusing blueprints, folks can experience the change themselves. It's like city planning got a huge upgrade!

Last updated on Apr 11, 2024

How can location-based AR enhance urban planning and design?

Location-based augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information and graphics onto the real-world environment, based on the user's location and orientation. It can be accessed through smartphones, tablets, or wearable devices, and it has many potential applications in urban planning and design. In this article, you will learn how location-based AR can enhance the following aspects of urban planning and design:

1 Visualization and simulation

Location-based AR can help urban planners and designers to visualize and simulate different scenarios and alternatives for a given site or project. For example, they can use location-based AR to show how a new building, park, or infrastructure would look like in the existing context, or how it would affect the traffic, noise, or air quality. They can also use location-based AR to test and compare different design options, or to involve stakeholders and citizens in the co-creation and feedback process.

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Nolan Bellot

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Imagine you could walk down the street and see a proposed building 'right there' – not on a screen, but casting shadows on the sidewalk. That's location-based augmented reality (AR), and it's way more than a cool visual trick for city planners. Think about it: AR lets you test how a new park affects foot traffic or where a noisy development might be a problem before spending millions. That's perspective, not just perception. (I've found it super helpful for explaining complex projects to stakeholders!) Want to get the community involved? AR makes designs tangible for everyone. Instead of confusing blueprints, folks can experience the change themselves. It's like city planning got a huge upgrade!

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2 Data collection and analysis

Location-based AR can also help urban planners and designers to collect and analyze data about the urban environment and its users. For example, they can use location-based AR to measure and display various indicators and parameters, such as land use, density, accessibility, walkability, or livability. They can also use location-based AR to capture and understand the behavior, preferences, and needs of the urban dwellers, such as their mobility patterns, activity choices, or satisfaction levels.

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3 Education and engagement

Location-based AR can also help urban planners and designers to educate and engage the public and other stakeholders about the urban issues and solutions. For example, they can use location-based AR to create interactive and immersive experiences that showcase the history, culture, or ecology of a place, or that raise awareness and inspire action on the challenges and opportunities of urban development. They can also use location-based AR to foster dialogue and participation among the diverse and often conflicting interests and perspectives of the urban community.

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4 Innovation and creativity

Location-based AR can also help urban planners and designers to innovate and create new solutions and possibilities for the urban environment. For example, they can use location-based AR to experiment and prototype with novel and unconventional ideas, such as adaptive and responsive architecture, smart and green infrastructure, or playful and social spaces. They can also use location-based AR to explore and exploit the potential of the digital layer as a new dimension of urban design, such as adding virtual elements, functions, or meanings to the physical space.

Location-based AR is a powerful and promising technology that can enhance urban planning and design in many ways. However, it also poses some challenges and risks, such as technical limitations, ethical concerns, or social implications. Therefore, urban planners and designers need to be aware and responsible of the opportunities and challenges of location-based AR, and use it wisely and ethically to create better urban environments for everyone.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can location-based AR enhance urban planning and design?

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1 Visualization and simulation

2 Data collection and analysis

3 Education and engagement

4 Innovation and creativity

5 Here’s what else to consider

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