Virtual reality with the integrated automatic presentation scrip for improving concepts understanding of Urban Design - a case study in Tatsumi region of Tokyo Bay zone, Japan

Abstract

Urban environment is the place that human depends on to survive. The quality of urban design concepts will directly impact the change of urban environment. However, due to the lack of user interaction and clear information exchange between users and designers, it is difficult for users to understand urban design concepts, and sometimes even misunderstanding will be caused. Thus, the present paper seeks to improve users’ understanding of urban design concepts via available communication media and using useful presentation technology (VR with the integrated APS). In this research, we recruited 60 participants to view the script video (the running result of APS) or/and free navigate in the virtual environment of Tatsumi region, Tokyo Bay Zone, Japan. By studying the data of subjective feedbacks, we investigated how APS impacts participants’ cognition and evaluation of Sustainable Taches and Reactivate Space (STARS, the design concepts). Furthermore, qualitative interview was developed to further understand participants’ design concepts understanding and to verify whether VR with the integrated APS can improve users’ understanding of urban design concepts. Results from this research explains the future use of VR with the integrated APS technology as an efficient tool in urban design schemes presentation.