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Swarm planning is a theory and practical approach to deal with uncertain futures. By anticipating scenarios such as a ‘post-carbon’ world and a ‘pre-adaptive’ landscape, it offers an alternative pathway to prepare for medium-term incremental and step changes. The focus is on the regional scale with a planning process to move from an unstable state (i.e. due to external impacts of climate change) towards a state of higher adaptive capacity. It increases the flexibility of spatial systems in two ways: assisting change in spatial land use over time; and catalysing the emergence of autonomous and more resilient developments. Swarm planning theory is used in two pilot designs and compared with regular planning processes. The results are presented in the form of new landscapes: the ‘Zero-Fossil Region’, where the design provides a spatial framework for a complete renewable energy supply, and the ‘Net Carbon Capture Landscape’, in which adaptation and mitigation strategies are designed to become carbon positive. The comparison illuminates the potential advantage of swarm planning to tackle climate change threats. La planification en essaims est une théorie et une approche pratique visant à traiter des avenirs incertains. Au moyen de scénarios prospectifs tels que celui d'un monde « post-carbone » et d'un paysage « préadaptatif », elle offre une voie alternative pour se préparer à des changements progressifs ou radicaux à moyen terme. L'accent est mis sur l’échelle régionale, avec un processus de planification permettant de passer d'un état instable (c'est-à-dire dû aux incidences extérieures du changement climatique) à un état présentant une plus grande capacité adaptative. Cela accroît de deux manières la flexibilité des systèmes spatiaux : en favorisant le changement dans l'utilisation spatiale des terrains au fil du temps; et en catalysant l’émergence de développements autonomes et plus résilients. La théorie de la planification en essaims est utilisée dans deux conceptions pilotes et comparée aux processus de planification habituels. Les résultats sont présentés sous la forme de nouveaux paysages : la « Région Zéro Energie Fossile », dans laquelle la conception fournit un cadre spatial permettant un approvisionnement énergétique entièrement renouvelable, et le « Paysage à Séquestration Nette de Carbone », dans lequel des stratégies d'adaptation et d'atténuation sont conçues pour assurer un bilan carbone positif. Cette comparaison se révèle éclairante quant à l'avantage potentiel de la planification en essaims pour s'attaquer aux menaces posées par le changement climatique. Mots clés: adaptation capacité adaptative cadre bâti résilience conception spatiale planification en essaims incertitude
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In urban planning, 3D modeling and virtual reality (VR) provide new means for involving citizens in the planning process. For municipal government, it is essential to know how effective these means are, to justify investments. In this study, we present a case of using VR in a municipal process of civic participation concerning the redesign of a public park. The process included codesign activities and involved citizens in decision-making through a ballot, using 3D-rendered versions of competing designs. In codesign, 3D-modeling tools were instrumental in empowering citizens to negotiate design decisions, to discuss the quality of designs with experts, and to collectively take decisions. This paper demonstrates that, in a ballot on competing designs with 1302 citizens, VR headsets proved to be equally effective compared to other display technologies in informing citizens during decision making. The results of an additional, controlled experiment indicate that VR headsets provide higher engagement and more vivid memories than viewing the designs on non-immersive displays. By integrating research into a municipal process, we contribute evidence of cognitive and engagement effects of using 3D modeling and immersive VR technologies to empower citizens in participatory urban planning. The case described in the paper concerns a public park; a similar approach could be applied to the design of public installations including media architecture.
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