Democratizing Built Environment Design Through Location-Based Augmented Reality with Data Sharing

The adoption of democratic and participatory design processes involving community members can lead to the creation of better and more livable environments. This thesis examines the potential of location-based augmented reality (L-AR) as a system solution for engaging the public in evaluating design proposals, intending to contribute to democratizing built environment design. We introduce a mobile L-AR prototype, D-ARE, which leverages mobile devices’ capabilities to allow interactive and in-situ visualization of design proposals, along with features like interactive AR form views, performance data displays, and interfaces for facilitating discussion threads. The paper also discusses challenges in transforming complex design data into understandable formats for non-specialist users. It presents insights gathered from D-ARE's user evaluation with 20 participants, highlighting promising engagement possibilities and identified challenges. The findings emphasize the transformative potential of in-situ AR applications and the importance of fostering informed dialogue between designers and community members to ensure that built environments reflect their needs and perspectives.