Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7.3.2.1 Participant Engagement
Based on observational data of audience response recorded during the evaluation
workshops, it is clear that the extensive use of realistic visualisations maintained a
high level of engagement among the public participants over a long and intense
visioning session. Some of the most effective images were an animation of rising
lea-levels and visualisation sequences with animated slide transitions (wipes)
showing time-lapse effects over the 21st Century. Notable examples of the latter
included flooding of an island depicted in an aerial view of a LiDAR/terrain model
draped with an aerial photograph, and the transition to a higher sea wall blocking
views from a back-garden in the community. Participants were also interested in
certain other graphics, e.g. illustrative charts and pictographs showing the key
indicators differentiating the four future worlds. Interest tended to flag somewhat
with longer temporal visualisation sequences.
7.3.2.2 Credibility and Effectiveness
Credibility of the visualisation tools and effectiveness of the visioning process
were rated generally as high, though some recommendations for enhanced or
additional products were received. Planning and engineering professionals had
generally similar responses to those of the public in finding the visualisations
credible. Even where the visualisations showed peak events such as storm surge
flooding of entire communities, it appears that we did not approach the limits of
permissible drama with the participants. Some people commented that the visu-
alisations were too benign, relative to actual storm/flooding conditions which they
had experienced.
7.3.2.3 Cognition and Awareness
Professionals registered a substantial increase in the urgency of responding to
climate change, after seeing the visioning packages. Using visualizations of
alternative climate futures in local and familiar places substantially increased the
public's awareness of local climate change impacts and of the response options
available to communities. A number of participants remarked on the way the
imagery and content of the Local Climate Change Visioning presentation dem-
onstrated the local impacts, making ''global warming more immediate, more real''.
Another participant made the impact of the visuals clear, ''I learned how climate
change could affect my community in a very graphic way. Numbers may not stay
with me but visuals will'', The use of photographs from precedents for adaptation
or mitigation solutions implemented elsewhere seemed to work to suggest feasi-
bility of future conditions; this and the range of response options visualized
seemed to leave people with a sense of the constructive actions that can be taken.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search