The aim is to rethink civic participation and urban development with the help of innovative virtual reality technologies and intuitive interaction techniques – and to make them accessible to as many people as possible.

At the heart of the project is the development of an interactive planning tool based on analogue and digital components. Using a specially developed modular system, the public can virtually create their ideas and suggestions for urban design – haptically and intuitively. These designs are converted into a 3D model in real time and made tangible. For example, trees are immediately visualised as three-dimensional models – including realistic effects such as shadows or other spatial effects.

The project will initially be trialled for a specific planning project in Magdeburg’s city centre. The aim is to transform a derelict area into a lively city centre district. In the selected city centre area, citizens can use the new technology to test specific planning parameters and contribute their ideas. This feedback is documented, evaluated and can be incorporated into the further development of real development plans.

The project makes urban development tangible for everyone. Precisely because many people have no experience with traditional planning documents or digital tools, the project focuses on intuitive interaction options that work without prior knowledge.

In the long term, the concept should be transferable to other cities and regions and serve as a model for modern, technology-supported citizen participation in urban planning.