Decision support: Impact scale, person-hour benefits, and more

Urban and regional planning projects are more likely to benefit the broader public— rather than serving only specific stakeholders—when diverse actors can rely on transparent and well-founded decision-making tools to develop viable, consensus-based solutions together.

The decision-support algorithm of URBAN MENUS facilitates this approach. It simplifies decision-making in the early planning stages through an intuitive “Quick-Snoop” impact scale (S, M, L), quantifies the benefits of a planning vision for different target groups using the concept of “person-hour benefit”, and promotes inclusive stakeholder engagement through visual impact graphics. These features not only support equitable participation in planning processes but also serve educational purposes.

Avoiding bias: Understanding diverse perspectives in the digital realm and reaching consensus

Users of URBAN MENUS can place planning elements in a shared 3D environment according to their preferences and desired impact. They can navigate this space together with others, experience different viewpoints, and collaboratively explore potential solutions. The ecological, social, and economic impact of different configurations is visualized in real time.

The impact assessments are based on a dynamic system of over 100 parameters aligned with the EU Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Leipzig Charter, the Biodiversity Goals 2030, and principles of diversity and gender sensitivity. These parameters can be combined into custom impact indicators that reflect specific planning qualities to be achieved—such as happiness, safety, innovation, economic viability, and circularity.

“Enhancing Decision-Making in Early-Stage Projects”

The decision-support algorithm was developed between 2023 and 2024 as part of the FFG-funded project “Smart Decision (URBAN MENUS Smart Decision for Area Development)”, led by Laura P. Spinadel (BOA GmbH). The long-standing URBAN MENUS development partner akaryon played a key role in developing the algorithm. A paper presented at ICERI 2024, the 17th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, highlights the development process and the algorithm’s benefits:

Busswald, Petra | Spinadel, Laura Patricia | Besse, Vera | Cojocariu, Caudia | Kampl, Tobias | Kraml, Barbara | Niederl, Franz | Pedraza, Catalina | Severin, Bianca | Taşpınar, Özge | Dan, Sebastian Andreas (2024): URBAN MENUS: Enhancing Decision-Making in Early-Stage Projects. In: ICERI2024 Proceedings; 17th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. Indexed in IATED Digital Library. DOI: 10.21125/iceri.2024.2201