From Reality to Virtuality: Re-discussing Cities with the Concept of Metaverse

doi:10.34104/ijma.022.0120020

Abstract

The increase in the transaction volume of cryptocurrencies, the widespread use of blockchain technology, and the increase in the number of augmented reality devices (virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) have led to the formation of a suitable environment for Metaverse. Metaverse is a virtual or augmented reality created beyond the physical world via an internet connection with augmented reality devices, game consoles, computers, tablets, or mobile phones. This universe may be beyond the real world, or it is created by the virtualization of real-world objects to a certain extent. While Metaverse has the opportunity to be applied comfortably in all areas of daily life, it can also be designed as an urban policy design tool. In the study, the conceptual framework of the metaverse will be presented, the metaverse investments of global companies will be determined, the concept of metaverse will be examined in the context of virtual reality relationship, the reflections of metaverse applications on the city will be examined, and finally, the effects and role of the metaverse in urban policy production will be discussed and conclusions and evaluations will be given.

Highlights

The word 'metaverse' was first used by Neal Stephenson
Game companies have provided a stronger connection between reality and virtuality in online games, allowing players to move more freely
In parallel with the increase in the internet infrastructure and usage, the number of people using technological devices and digital applications, there has been a general increase in people's digital literacy levels

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The word 'metaverse' was first used by Neal Stephenson. He described it as a gigantic virtual universe parallel to the world, from the metaverse in the dystopian and cyberpunk novel Snow Crash (Joshua, 2017). Virtual universes have been created through devices in various fields, including social media applications, videos, meetings and games. At the heart of metadata is an immersive vision of the internet as a huge, joint, shared and permanent space Driven by technologies such as augmented reality, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI), the metaverse concept big bang is imminent (Lee et al, 2021). Reality-Virtual Relation: Virtual, augmented, augmented and mixed reality applications are the leading technologies that are effective in the use of Metaverse in many areas today These reality practices are linked with many technological developments in the fields of entertainment, health, education, automotive industry (Ling et al, 2020; Zhou et al, 2020; Lawson et al, 2016; Adikari et al, 2020; Huang et al, 2020; Cammack, 2010). Whether on devices in virtual and augmented reality or on a display or console, the promise of the metaverse is to allow a greater overlap of virtual and real lives in wealth, socializing, productivity, shopping, and entertainment (Clark, 2021)

Chapter 1

Findings

CONCLUSION