Public Participation Using 3D Web-Based City Models: Opportunities for E-Participation in Kisumu, Kenya

Abstract

Public participation is significant for the success of any urban planning project. However, most members of the general public are not planning professionals and may not understand the technical details of a 2D paper-based plan, which might hamper their participation. One way to expand the participation of citizens is to present plans in well-designed, user-friendly and interactive platforms that allow participation regardless of the technical skills of the participants. This paper investigates the impacts of the combined use of 3D visualization and e-participation on public participation in Kisumu, Kenya. A 3D city model, created with CityEngine2016, was exported into a web-based geoportal and used as a Planning Support System in two stakeholder workshops in order to evaluate its usability. In order to assess the workshops 300 questionnaires were given out to planning practitioners and interview were done with key informants. Five indicators were developed for evaluating the usability of the 3D model while the usability of e-participation was evaluated using communication, collaboration and learning as indicators. Results showed that effectiveness and efficiency varied within different professional groups while the questionnaires showed strong preference for e-participation methods, especially Short Message Servicess/Unstructured Supplementary Service Data and emails. The study concludes that the use of 3D visualization and e-participation has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of public participation and recommends further research on the subject.

Strengthening Participation Using Interactive Planning Support Systems: A Systematic Review

“…Finally, only very few tools reviewed make use of 3D visualization techniques, though this is reported to enhance participation, particularly of layperson, in planning significantly [74]. In line with that, PSS workshops reviewed here are mainly conducted involving planning experts as stakeholders, either researchers or planning practitioners, who are likely to be experienced in working with maps and 2D visualizations of spatial data [8].…”

Strengthening Participation using Interactive Planning Support Systems: A Systematic Review

“…No open source tools such as QGIS, holding the promise of permanent refinement and tailormade modification through a large user community[68], are being used. Moreover, only one study Finally, only very few tools reviewed make use of 3D visualization techniques, though this is reported to enhance participation, particularly of layperson, in planning significantly[69]. In line with that, PSS workshops reviewed here are mainly conducted involving planning experts as stakeholders, either researchers or planning practitioners, who are likely to be experienced in working with maps and 2D visualizations of spatial data.…”

An “Animated Spatial Time Machine” in Co-Creation: Reconstructing History Using Gamification Integrated into 3D City Modelling, 4D Web and Transmedia Storytelling

“…Geoparticipation can involve many people and increases the sense of belonging to a group [58]. Ideally, spatial e-participation should involve citizens through a 3D web geoportal at any time, anonymously and from any place, using a simple tool [59]. Participation in an urban evolution understanding will be possible in a multidimensional web-GIS approach [60].…”