Design issue
The central design challenge explored in the thesis centres on navigating Aotearoa's rapidly transforming urban landscape. The research grapples with how to enhance public participation in city planning amidst diverse hurdles such as enduring colonization impacts, a rising cost-of-living, resource constraints, and a noticeable deficit in civic imagination. This challenge underscores the imperative of meaningfully involving communities in the design and evolution of their own urban spaces while emphasizing local narratives and fostering a sense of belonging.
Research process
The research process employed in the thesis is anchored in a Human-Centred Design approach and unfolds in three distinct phases. It begins with the 'Inspiration' phase, where insights are gleaned from literature, conferences, and expert interviews, forming a foundation for the research. This is followed by the 'Ideation' phase, where various design tools are used in a dynamic, non-linear creative process to innovate potential solutions. The process culminates in the 'Validation' phase, where the conceptual prototype is assessed by original contributors, and their feedback is fine-tuned to derive actionable recommendations for enhancing public participation in urban planning in Aotearoa.
Design
The design outcome of the research is "Fantail AR," a conceptual prototype presented as both a web and mobile application. This innovative tool harnesses the power of augmented reality, gamification, and geographical information systems to foster collaborative urban development. Envisioned as a bridge between authorities and the public, "Fantail AR" promotes local, sustainable development goals while simultaneously encouraging community cohesion and strategic decision-making. It emphasizes the infusion of local narratives, cultures, and identities into urban spaces, aiming to enhance community resilience, uphold Aotearoa's bicultural partnership, and deepen connections to place.
