User Experience in Urban Space Design within Smart Cities “Engaging Communities in Decision-Making to Foster Their Sense of Belonging to Public Spaces”

This research aims to clarify the role of participatory design in enhancing the user experience within urban spaces by involving local communities in the design process, with the goal of fostering a sense of belonging and ownership towards public spaces. Participatory design enhances the possibility of creating sustainable urban environments that are connected to the cultural identity and needs of the community, leading to a stronger emotional attachment to public spaces and increased social awareness about preserving them.
The research relies on recent literature that affirms that community participation in urban design is not merely an aesthetic step but strengthens social sustainability and helps achieve social cohesion, making public spaces more accepted and enduring. The research also addresses recent applications of technology in participatory design, such as virtual reality and interactive models, which allow users to experience designs realistically before implementation. This contributes to improving design decisions based on community feedback. Furthermore, the research includes an analysis of recent urban projects where participatory design techniques have been implemented to study the impact of these applications on enhancing users’ sense of responsibility and attachment to the place. The research offers recommendations regarding the use of technology in different stages of design, along with new urban proposals for smart cities that encourage the activation of community participation as a foundation for sustainable urban design.