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

Problem, research strategy, and findingsUrban 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 practicePlanners 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.

Automated summary

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the use of extended reality (XR) technology in urban planning. The author defines XR concepts and examines six key planning goals achieved through the use of XR. Practical considerations are also discussed.