The accelerating pace of urbanization necessitates innovative solutions for creating sustainable and resilient cities [1]. Traditional urban planning approaches often lack effective citizen participation, leading to public dissatisfaction and a disconnect between proposed solutions and community needs [2]. Additionally, current methods frequently struggle to realistically convey the long-term environmental impacts of planning choices [3].Virtual Reality (VR) technology presents a transformative opportunity to address these limitations. VR's immersive nature allows users to experience simulated environments, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues [4]. This paper proposes a VR training program for sustainable urban planning and citizen
Several studies highlight the limitations of traditional citizen engagement methods in urban planning. [5] Argues that public participation often occurs too late in the planning process, hindering citizen influence. Similarly, [6] emphasizes the need for more interactive and accessible communication channels between planners and citizens. VR's potential for enhancing learning and engagement in various fields is well-documented [7, 8]. [9] explores the use of VR for urban design education, demonstrating its effectiveness in spatial understanding and decision-making. However, research specifically focused on VR training for citizen engagement in sustainable urban planning remains limited. The potential of VR to enhance learning and engagement is well-documented across various fields [10, 11]. Specific studies, such as those by [12, 13], have shown VR's effectiveness in improving spatial understanding and decision-making within urban design education. However, focused research on VR training specifically aimed at citizen engagement in sustainable urban planning is still limited but promising [14, 15].
The immersive nature of VR creates an interactive environment where citizens can visualize urban planning outcomes firsthand, potentially leading to greater involvement and satisfaction in the planning process [16, 17]. This could fundamentally change how public consultations are conducted, making them more engaging and informative [18, 19]. Moreover, the ability of VR to simulate long-term environmental impacts in real-time offers a unique tool for urban planners to communicate complex sustainability issues effectively [20, 21]. The pilot programs conducted have demonstrated significant increases in citizen engagement and a deeper understanding of sustainable planning practices [22, 23]. Feedback from these initiatives indicates that VR could serve as a bridge between urban planners and citizens, fostering a more collaborative and inclusive planning process [24, 25].