Virtual reality and traditional design methods in Egyptian context

Abstract

Urban planning and design research reveal the significance of virtual reality (VR) as a visualization tool in exploring user experience. This article used two public spaces of two Egyptian universities as a case study on the efficiency of VR in understanding user experiences. We randomly examine the urban studies literature to identify the essential elements that should be conveyed. Using a conventional method and a VR headset, 150 participants viewed the design and answered a questionnaire. From the descriptive and analytical analysis of the results, the findings reflect the participants' perspective when comparing the virtual reality method with the traditional way. The results also demonstrate that VR improves understanding of users' experiences while moving through urban forms. The concluding remarks shed light on how the VR tool can be used to understand urban planning and designs.