Augmenting cities beyond bedazzlement: Empowering local communities through immersive urban technologies
Marcus Foth, Glenda Amayo Caldwell, Joel Fredericks, Kirsty Volz · QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) · 2018
Many urban developments and infrastructure projects are accompanied these days by high fidelity virtual reality (VR) flythrough renderings that depict a 'perfect' urban vision. Moreover, augmented reality (AR) increasingly complements the persuasiveness with which urban visions are presented and communicated by developers and city officials. In this paper we problematise the risk of VR/AR applications causing bedazzlement that evades community critique and public discourse, and outline ways immersive urban technologies can be used instead to empower local communities to engage in participatory citymaking efforts.