Smart City: Exploring the Role of Augmented Reality in Placemaking

Abstract

Continued technological advancements in Big-Data-Driven Communication, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Social Media, and accelerated organizations’ needs for engaging or managing various stakeholders highlight continuous research into building mutual and interactive cooperation models and solution within smart cities. So, as an initial step to building a smart city, municipalities can use advanced and interactive technologies such as augmented reality to improve services provisions and citizens’ welfare. The purpose of this research is to explore how cities can use AR for installing public art projects through diverse placemaking approaches. Three internationally AR-placemaking projects as case studies reviewed briefly. Different types of solutions and layouts for each placemaking approach are illustrated to define how it has significant impacts on cities all over the world. Besides, we found that municipalities could implement strategies like cutting-edge Augmented Reality technologies and tools as a step forward toward developing smart cities. Moreover, the AR technology can easily mix with the Internet of Things’ (IoT) components and create a unique sight for the fusion of science, technology, and art in the 21st century smart cities.