Extended Reality (XR) and "Phygital" Cities: Designing Hybrid Urban Experiences with Design Fiction

This course introduces students to speculative and participatory design methods to critically explore the intersection of digital twins, smart cities, and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. It examines the social, spatial, and technological dynamics of digital twins and uses design fiction as a framework to envision future urban experiences. By doing so, the course encourages creative and critical reflection on how cities and their inhabitants will interact in increasingly hybrid physical–digital environments.

The course aims to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Participants will be introduced to speculative design approaches and XR technologies, while also developing ideas for hybrid urban experiences that may shape near-future smart cities. Through lectures, fieldwork, group projects, and prototyping exercises, students will generate concepts, collect and analyze data, exchange feedback, and present their outcomes. The course places emphasis on the sociocultural implications of emerging technologies, fostering awareness of their potential benefits and challenges. By reflecting on the future of urban experiences, students will develop critical insights and design-driven approaches at the intersection of technology, society, and space, preparing them to engage with complex urban futures in innovative and responsible ways.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand XR technologies and their applications in urban contexts. They will learn about digital twins, smart cities, and data-driven urban design. They will gain skills in persona development, field observation, and speculative futures thinking through design fiction and participatory methods. They will also develop proficiency in prototyping, visualization, and creative storytelling using XR. The course will also encourage critical thinking about the role of digital twins and immersive technologies in shaping urban experiences. A learning process is designed to enhance competence in working in multidisciplinary production environments and developing future scenarios.

Effort

24 hours total / 2 weeks

Format

Hybrid: Online and face-to-face sessions combined.

For whom?

Open to everyone working/interested in design, urban design, humanities, cultural heritage, digitalization, digital twins, and data, regardless of age.

Provider

KARMA XR Lab (Koç University)

Prerequisites

None

Hub

South

Topic

Circular, Regenerative, Long-life, Digital