Approaching an Ideal: Using Technology to Apply Collaborative Rationality to Urban Planning Processes.

The paper examines web-based three-dimensional immersive technologies in the context of collaborative rationality combining Habermas' ideal speech conditions with insights from Dewey and complexity science to form the approach: diversity, interdependence, authentic dialogue. This provides a theoretical basis for examining the role of advanced web-based technologies in the collaborative planning process. The open neighbourhood approach and the program Second Life were employed to introduce immersive technology in a planning process by a Tufts University team working in collaboration with officials in the Town of Acton. The findings suggest that, designed correctly, web-based three-dimensional tools can foster collaboration and facilitate negotiated agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]