Using augmented reality in urban planning processes

Sustainable urban development requires innovative approaches and concepts that involve people not only in planning processes but also in influencing the design of urban space. Modern formats, such as augmented reality (AR), can help to increase the motivation for participation and present different planning concepts more realistically through different forms of visualization. Based on case studies in Vienna, Austria, and Lucerne, Switzerland, we examine AR applications in planning participation and discuss the innovative nature of these applications. We show that the use of AR not only increases the motivation of the population to participate in planning processes but also increases the quality of participation processes and can, thus, trigger a sustainable transformation of cities.