Enhancing Public Participation in Urban Planning: The Role of VR, HBIM, and Gamification

The study demonstrates a novel method of urban planning through a collaborative digital platform that promotes engagement and interaction among people, technicians, and administrators. Utilizing the suggested digital platform, the citizen acts as a catalyst for urban transformation, initiating processes of inclusion, participation, and civic engagement. The research examines the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a foundational model for a desktop gaming platform, establishing a virtual three-dimensional (3D) interactive environment through a desktop application. This environment facilitates citizen training and collaboration in generating innovative design concepts and proposals for the repurposing of existing structures. Consequently, the end user assumes the role of designer, innovating interventions by contemplating spatial configurations and postulating various functionalities. This reinforces the role of active public involvement and territorial governance by the Public Administration, enabling it to manage diverse contributions aimed at co-designing and co-producing services. Moreover, the effective integration of HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) and its application paves the door for novel opportunities in engagement, education, and interactive training, necessitating a detailed and realistic physical environment as a contextual framework for action.