Project Synopsis
"Future Cities: Empowering Community Voices through Immersive Technology" is the first time Mixed Reality (MR) has been used in the nation to facilitate how a master plan of an American city is formed and materialized through public involvement.
This project is a collaboration between the City of Mesa, Mesa Public Schools, Logan Simpson, and Arizona State University's Resilient Visions Collaboratory (RV CoLab) and Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center; led by Professors Sarah Bassett, Nicholas Pilarski, and Jake Pinholster.
The primary objective was to establish a novel approach of combining immersive experiences with urban planning and civic engagement that empowered the younger generation to offer valuable insights on various facets of urban design, fostering a sense of community involvement and civic responsibility.
The primary objective was to establish a novel approach of combining immersive experiences with urban planning and civic engagement that empowered the younger generation to offer valuable insights on various facets of urban design, fostering a sense of community involvement and civic responsibility.
Collaborators
Key Features
The project brought urban plans to life through the high-level massing of 3D models. This was done to open the doors and demystify urban planning concepts to youth at the high school and middle school levels and involve them in the creation of the 10-year plan for the City of Mesa.
Leveraging the capabilities of Unreal Engine, these models were transformed into immersive environments. The final experience was brought to life with the use of the software Disguise to project 8k video walkthroughs onto a 300-degree drum configuration, allowing participants to experience the environments at scale.
Leveraging the capabilities of Unreal Engine, these models were transformed into immersive environments. The final experience was brought to life with the use of the software Disguise to project 8k video walkthroughs onto a 300-degree drum configuration, allowing participants to experience the environments at scale.
Technological Landscape
The backbone of the project lay in Unreal Engine 5.3, chosen for its ability to seamlessly merge creativity with functionality.
Disguise technology played a pivotal role in projecting the immersive content onto the unique 300-degree drum setup, creating a captivating and lifelike experience.
Disguise technology played a pivotal role in projecting the immersive content onto the unique 300-degree drum setup, creating a captivating and lifelike experience.
Roles and Responsibilities
In the dynamic realm of "Future Cities", I functioned as a one-man team, shouldering multifaceted responsibilities that spanned coordination, creative implementation, and live event execution.
Project management: I navigated the complexities of the entire workflow with the help and support of Professor Nicholas Pilarski and Professor Sarah Bassett at the RV CoLab, ensuring seamless integration of various elements within a limited timeframe.
Early Asset Testing
Coordination and Model Acquisition: Collaborating with Logan Simpson, facilitated by guidance from my Professors at the RV CoLab, I spearheaded the coordination efforts to secure all 3D models essential for the project.
Unreal Engine Wizardry: Leveraging Unreal Engine 5.3, I imported and meticulously crafted the 3D models into realistic and immersive environments for each of the six urban plans. This intricate process involved cleaning up provided 3D models, curating Mesa-appropriate flora, and creating custom materials for a lifelike aesthetic.
Equirectangular Video Production: Innovating to meet the unique requirements of the 300-degree drum configuration, I devised a method to render and generate 8K Equirectangular videos. This step was critical in ensuring a high-quality projection experience.
Video Rendering and Conversion: Executing a meticulous process, I rendered a total of 18+1 8K videos and adeptly converted them to the HAP format, optimizing content for seamless integration with the Disguise projection system.
Disguise Show File Architect: As the architect of the Disguise show file, I ensured a synchronized and captivating playback of the immersive content during the showcase.
Man In The Booth: On showcase days, I assumed the crucial role in the event booth, managing the run of the show. This included overseeing technical aspects, cueing up content, and ensuring a flawless and engaging experience for the audience in coordination with the MC, who acted as a bridge between the audience and the experience.
In essence, my role encompassed the end-to-end journey of the Future Cities Project, from inception to execution, showcasing not only technical proficiency but also the ability to orchestrate a captivating live event experience.
Challenges and Solutions
Tight Deadline Mastery: The project faced the challenge of a demanding timeline. Despite the tight deadline, efficient management ensured successful delivery within a month—from model delivery to the showcase.
Rendering Workflow Innovation: Devising a workflow for rendering 8k Equirectangular footage posed a significant challenge. Collaborating with Professor Nicholas Pilarski, a dedicated effort in the final week preceding the showcase resulted in a tailored workflow, overcoming this hurdle through persistent day-and-night efforts.
Rendering Efficiency and System Hurdles: Rendering each 8k video consumed over 8 hours, often leading to system crashes. To tackle this, a strategic solution emerged— the initial 12 videos were rendered in 8k, one of the videos was rendered in 6k, and the remaining 6 videos in 4k. This workaround ensured all videos were ready for the showcase days, mitigating potential disruptions.
In essence, the Future Cities Project not only triumphed in community engagement but also navigated and conquered intricate technological challenges, showcasing adaptability and resilience throughout its execution.
Timeline
The entire project, from the delivery of 3D models to the date of the show, was executed within an impressive one-month timeline.
Project Outcomes
The impact of "Future Cities" was far-reaching, engaging over 300 individuals across four days.
The primary audience, comprising Mesa youth from middle and high schools, actively participated in the immersive experience.
The distinguished presence of City Council members and the Mayor of Mesa elevated the project, signifying its importance in democratizing urban planning discussions within the community.
The primary audience, comprising Mesa youth from middle and high schools, actively participated in the immersive experience.
The distinguished presence of City Council members and the Mayor of Mesa elevated the project, signifying its importance in democratizing urban planning discussions within the community.
The Future Cities Project exemplifies the potential of technology to bridge the gap between communities and urban planning, setting a new standard for civic engagement and participation.