Digital Revolution: Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Citizen Engagement in Urban and Environmental Management

Abstract

Citizen participation is key in urban planning, but traditional methods are often limited in terms of accessibility and inclusion. This study investigates how the use of emerging technologies such as Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Digital Twin (DT), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can enhance citizen participation in urban planning. Through the review and analysis of existing literature, combined with the study of cases from cities in Eurasia and North America on the implementation of these technologies in urban and environmental planning, the results indicate that the use of multi-reality technologies facilitates immersive visualization of urban projects, allowing citizens to better understand the implications of proposed changes. Furthermore, the integration of real-time monitoring, such as forest and climate surveillance, improves environmental control. Technologies like AI and GIS also enable greater precision and empowerment in participatory decision-making. Nevertheless, the emergence of these technologies presents a challenge that must be addressed, as it is essential to establish a regulatory framework to ensure their responsible use. In conclusion, these platforms not only increase participation and co-creation but also enable more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive urban planning. Greater adoption of these technologies is suggested to optimize the urban decision-making process.