Use of Mobile Devices in Public Participation for the Design of Open Spaces

Mobile devices are ubiquitous nowadays. Their use is expanding into a wide range of applications. The potential contribution of mobile devices for public participation during the decision-making process is yet unclear. This study uses the case study of a new urban park in Sheffield, UK. Using iPads, views of stakeholders including hard-to-reach groups, students and professionals are sought regarding the mobile device technology and regarding the park design. Participants were shown a short animated video of a three-dimensional model of the study site and were asked questions about the mobile device visualization. The study shows that visualization using mobile devices can contribute to enhancing the understanding of the general public, thus creating a broader base for decision-making.