Gintaras Stauskis

Development of methods and practices of virtual reality as a tool for participatory urban planning: a case study of Vilnius City as an example for improving environmental, social and energy sustainability

BackgroundMultiple channels of sustainable urban development could be managed in the process of an inter-disciplinary cooperation and creative involvement of all stakeholders. The paper aims to verify how the specific methods of virtual reality simulation could be used as an effective tool for setting an efficient participation platform between the stakeholders to improve environmental, social and energy sustainability of urban development in modern cities. The paper is based on the case study of Vilnius City.MethodsThe article shows how innovative tools could facilitate better cooperation based on more balanced approaches in participatory urban planning by chronological review of traditional public involvement practices and structured analysis of emerging public participation techniques. As each discipline involved in sustainable urban development covers specific socio-economic, environmental, economic and creative competence fields, it is essential to develop a comprehensive tool for public participation that is well accessible, reliable and efficient.ResultsThe provided analysis of research theories and practical applications of public involvement through virtual simulation in the case of Vilnius City shows that virtual reality and spatial modelling integrated on gaming platforms under the conditions of widespread information and communications technology (ICT) applications could be developed and used as an innovative, involving and efficient tool for facilitating wider and more effective public involvement in the planning and design of urban environment and so increase social and environmental sustainability of urban development process. The application of this method for planning public spaces leads to more efficient use of environmental resources also reducing the need for primary energy and using it more rationally.ConclusionsThe analysis of using virtual urban simulation (VUS) method for representing, analysing, referring and improving urban design projects reveals that virtual applications can make public participation more accessible for citizens of the community and improve reliability of its results thus having direct impact on the planning process and its outcomes in terms of more sustainable impact on environmental and economic development of urban community.

Darnios Rekreacijos Ir Turizmo Plėtra – Alternatyvaus Mobilumo Mieste Skatinimo Būdas

Santrauka Tyrime pateikiamas darnios miesto ir priemiescio rekreacijos tinklo plėtros modelis. Darni rekreacija suprantama kaip priemonių visuma, leidžianti suaktyvinti pėsciųjų, dviratininkų ir vandens keliautojų judėjimą mieste laisvalaikio poilsio tikslu, taip pat apriboti nebūtinus automobilių srautus, skirtus susisiekti tarp miesto centro, gyvenamųjų ir rekreacijos teritorijų. Sąveika tarp Vilniaus miesto ir aplinkinių priemiescio teritorijų analizuojama siekiant i[sbreve]ry[sbreve]kinti kliūtis miesto ir priemiescio jungtims įtvirtinti. Tai pėsciųjų takų struktūros trūkiai miesto vie[sbreve]osiose erdvėse, tiesioginės prieigos i[sbreve] miesto gyvenamųjų teritorijų prie užmiescio rekreacinių resursų nebuvimas, nepakankamai koordinuojama ir net spontani[sbreve]ka priemiescio teritorijų urbanizacija. Tokios tendencijos pablogino sąlygas pėstiesiems, dviratininkams ir vandens keliautojams judėti mieste ir susisiekti su priemiescio rekreacijos arealais. Neribojama motorizuoto susisiekimo ekspansija į vi...