Facilitating Dialogue Through Generative AI in Urban Planning Workshops: An Evaluation of a Participatory Tool Integrating Physical Prompts and Visual Output
Authors
Wieczkiewicz, Martyna ; Thestesen, Maja Kokholm
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-11
Pages
17
Abstract
Differences in language and expertise between citizens and professionals often hinder meaningful citizen participation in urban planning. This study introduces CAPE AI, a participatory tool that combines physical MethodKit cards with AI-generated visualizations in early-stage planning workshops to support inclusive dialogue. MethodKit cards are sets of prompts and topics that structure discussion, while the AI-created images quickly turn ideas into something visible. We designed a co-creative workshop format inspired by the Future Workshop method, a step-by-step approach with phases such as critique, imagination, and planning. The tool and format were explored in a pilot with students experienced in participatory design and a focus group with architects from C.F. Møller. Findings indicate that the hybrid format fostered collective idea generation and healthy group dynamics. The AI-generated images surfaced tacit or hard-to-articulate ideas and sparked dialogue; their ambiguity encouraged reinterpretation and the co-creation of shared narratives rather than fixed solutions. Overall, the results suggest that CAPE AI can support participatory processes at levels corresponding to placation and partnership on Arnstein’s Ladder, a framework for degrees of citizen power in which placation means being heard without decision-making power and partnership involves shared decisions. Further research with citizens is needed to assess effectiveness in real-world planning contexts.
Forskelle i sprog og ekspertise mellem borgere og fagfolk skaber ofte barrierer for meningsfuld borgerdeltagelse i byplanlægning. Dette studie introducerer CAPE AI, et deltagerorienteret værktøj, der kombinerer fysiske MethodKit-kort med AI-genererede visualiseringer i tidlige planlægningsworkshops for at fremme inkluderende dialog. MethodKit-kort er sæt med emner og spørgsmål, som hjælper med at strukturere samtaler, mens de AI-skabte billeder hurtigt omsætter ideer til noget, man kan se. Vi udviklede en samskabende workshopstruktur inspireret af Future Workshop-metoden, en trinvis tilgang med faser som kritik, fantasi og planlægning. Værktøjet og formatet blev afprøvet i en pilot med studerende erfarne i deltagende design samt i en fokusgruppe med arkitekter fra C.F. Møller. Resultaterne viser, at det hybride format understøttede fælles idéskabelse og gode gruppedynamikker. De AI-genererede billeder gjorde tavse eller svært formulerbare ideer mere synlige og satte gang i dialogen; deres tvetydighed inviterede til nyfortolkning og fælles fortællinger frem for faste løsninger. Samlet peger dette på, at CAPE AI kan understøtte deltagelsesprocesser på niveauer svarende til placation og partnership i Arnsteins stige, en model for borgerindflydelse, hvor placation betyder at blive hørt uden beslutningsmagt, og partnership indebærer delt beslutningstagning. Fremtidige studier med borgere er nødvendige for at vurdere effekten i virkelige planlægningskontekster.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords