A demonstrator tool of web-based virtual reality for participatory evaluation of urban sound environment

Using virtual reality (VR) for environmental evaluation is one of the innovations in planning process to support the involvement of local population in decision making. The power of VR in public participation is further enhanced by its application online. However, current online VR applications for public participation is mostly restricted as visualisation tools. Evaluation of the virtual sound environment is rarely supported. This study developed a demonstrator tool of web-based online VR for participatory evaluation of urban sound environment. Piazza Vittoria in Naples, Italy was used as the case site to create the virtual environment. The tool employed affordable visualisation and auralisation for the general public to use online in mainstream web browsers with their own devices. The tool was tested online and the results were analysed to discuss the applicability, potential and challenges of online VR for participatory evaluation of urban sound environment.