E-participation and the Metaverse – insights from a Design Science Research project on immersive public participation

Abstract

Low levels of public participation in local decision-making, particularly in urban planning, remain a persistent challenge. While e-participation offers new avenues for engagement, achieving broad-based and inclusive participation remains difficult, especially given the complexity of construction plans. This paper addresses this issue by exploring how xReality (XR) technologies can enhance e-participation in urban planning. Using a Design Science Research (DSR) approach, we derive meta-requirements and design principles for inclusive XR-based e-participation. Across three design cycles and three empirical studies, we develop and evaluate a participatory XR artifact. As cities increasingly adopt digital twins, XR emerges as a promising tool to enhance citizens’ understanding of urban projects through intuitive, interactive visualizations. These representations help bridge cognitive gaps and foster greater motivation to engage. However, participation is not monolithic, as citizens differ in the degree of influence they seek, ranging from merely being informed to actively participating in decision-making. Our design theory emphasizes support for these varying levels of participation. The study provides insights into developing inclusive e-participation tools and highlights key expectations from both citizens and public-sector stakeholders. Ultimately, we show how XR can support more equitable and effective e-participation in the Metaverse.