# CityBuildAR: Enhancing Community Engagement in Placemaking Through Mobile Augmented Reality
Cultural mapping, which integrates artistic approaches to explore the cultural significance of spaces, has been effective in some cases but struggles with a lack of standardized methodology, hindering its widespread adoption [23]. For example, in the Grecanic Area of Southern Italy, a culturally rich region known for its historical traditions and natural landscapes, cultural mapping was used to capture both material and immaterial heritage through community surveys and visual data representation. This approach successfully enhanced local identity and supported sustainable tourism development beyond seasonal seaside activities [24]. Community meetings, such as those held in local councils, aim to gather input from residents but can often perpetuate existing power imbalances, leading to unequal participation and marginalization of more vulnerable groups [19]. Participatory mapping has been successfully used in neighborhood planning to allow community members to mark areas of significance, yet its effectiveness can be limited by varying levels of spatial literacy [25; 26]. Public exhibitions are commonly used to display public space design proposals and collect feedback, promoting transparency, though they are often constrained by the scale of participation and the type of feedback they gather [17]. Finally, social media platforms,like Facebook or X, have been used to engage a broader audience in the planning process, yet they require careful management to prevent the digital exclusion of less connected groups [27; 28]. These tools, while invaluable, face significant challenges that hinder their ability to produce inclusive and equitable outcomes. A common issue is inequality in participation, where marginalized groups are often excluded from meaningful engagement, resulting in skewed representation in the decision-making process [19]. Additionally, technological limitations, such as the lack of access to social media platforms for certain populations, reduce the inclusivity of digital tools [27]. Another significant challenge is the lack of consistency in methods, as tools like cultural mapping and hand-drawn sketches often lack standardized methodologies, limiting their ability to be integrated into broader planning practices effectively [23]. Moreover, generative artificial intelligence-based design tools, such as MidJourney, etc., are not freely accessible to the public and may pose usability challenges for general users. Despite these challenges, the potential for these participatory tools to enhance community engagement remains significant. Overcoming these issues, particularly related to representation and methodology, is crucial for their success in placemaking initiatives. In response to the challenges discussed above, such as limited access to advanced technology in certain communities, lack of consistency and standardized methodologies, and the need for more inclusive digital tools, this study explores the use of Mobile Augmented Reality (M-AR) technology as a tool to bridge the gap between professionals and the community in designing places. By integrating real-time visualizations and interactive features, M-AR provides an opportunity for communities to actively participate in designing their public spaces in ways that were previously inaccessible. The research questions addressed by this study include: (a) How can M-AR applications enhance community engagement in placemaking? and (b) How does the City BuildAR app (version 1.0) bridge the gap between professionals and the general public in placemaking?