Public engagement in the urban energy transition with mixed reality visualization

This research project aims to make complex urban energy and climate data accessible to the public through an interactive visualization platform. As cities face increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change, there is a growing need for tools that help residents understand how buildings perform in terms of energy efficiency and climate resilience. However, such information is often highly technical and difficult for non-experts to interpret. This project addresses that gap by transforming scientific and building-performance data into a clear, engaging, and interactive public experience.

About the project

The project builds on the extensive research of the Intelligent Human-Buildings Interaction Lab (IHBI) at Umeå University, including previous work on city-scale building energy modelling, occupant behaviour, renovation decision-making, and immersive visualization methods. Supported by InfraVis, the team has established a visualization platform that allows users to explore how different renovation strategies and behavioural choices affect building energy use, carbon emissions, and resilience to changing climate conditions and extreme weather. By making these relationships visible and intuitive, the project seeks to raise public awareness, encourage sustainable renovation practices, and support the transition toward more energy-efficient and climate-resilient cities.