Digital system of tools for public participation and education in urban design: Exploring 3D ICC

This article is a starting point for the development of experiential urban co-design interfaces to enhance public participation in local urban projects and to be also used as a communication and collaboration tool in urban design. It is based on the previous research involving 3D city models utilized as understandable design interfaces for the non-technical public (Jutraz, Zupancic, 2011), where we have already explored different views (pedestrian, intermediate and birdís-eye view), as well as the means by which the information obtained from these different views may be combined by shifting between viewpoints. Previous work was conducted in the ìstreet labî as well as the Urban Experimental Lab, which was developed specifi cally for the publicís participation in urban planning (Voigt, Kieferle, Wˆssner, 2009). Presented in this article is the next step that explores the immersive collaboration environment 3D ICC [1], formerly known as Teleplace. The environment was developed for effi cient collaboration and remote communication and shifts the research focus towards questions regarding how to employ both labs as interfaces between the non-technical public and design professionals. As we are facing the lack of digital systems for public participation and education in urban design, different digital tools for communication and collaboration should be combined into a new holistic platform for design. A digital system of tools needs to be developed that supports the urban design decision-making process and focuses on improved final solutions and increased satisfaction amongst all participants. In this article the system of digital tools for public participation, which include communication, collaboration and education, will be also defi ned, with its basic characteristics and its elements