Using Mobile Devices to Enhance Public Engagement: Collecting Ideas for Future Development and Experiencing the Suggested Future Scenarios

摘要

This paper aims to present results of the use of mobile devices to support public engagement during the decision-making process with the case study, Edward Street Park, a new urban park in Sheffield, England. This study is part of the EU project VALUE+ (2012-2015). The project seeks ways to enhance public engagement by using visualization tools during the planning and decision making process. In line with this, people were asked to sketch their ideas on 3D models displayed on a mobile device rather than a traditional way, that is expressing them in words. Suggestions were visualized and residents experienced the scenarios through the mobile device. The project objective was to help the local community to put their ideas on the table with the help of a mobile device and to give the public a chance to see suggested future scenarios for the site presented on a mobile device as well. The results illustrate that the use of mobile devices contributes to the enhancement of public engagement with face-to-face interaction and better understanding of future scenarios with proposed changes, suggested by different groups from the public.