A conceptual framework for prototyping futures scenarios through narrative design of VR urban scenes

Designing 3D urban scenes for virtual reality (VR) offers the opportunity to improve the transference and usability of futures scenario narratives to multiple publics involved in urban planning. Nonetheless, the content and format of immersive and interactive strategies of VR environments differ from conventional scenario narratives, needing conceptual frameworks to convert such narratives into localised stories. This research explores how to enhance and communicate conventional scenario narratives through the design of VR-oriented narrative environments. It proposes the Scenarios-to-Scenes framework, encompassing three steps for the generation of: (i) futures stories, (ii) real/virtual places, and (iii) VR user stories. The framework was tested with urban planners, academics, and media communication experts in two collaborative workshop settings. The process proved the frameworks’ capacity to bring out alternative interpretations, expanding its content and transferring key narrative elements across workshops. The iteration between imagining places and anticipating VR-user experiences helped focus complex arguments in expert discussions into linear stories. This was a first step towards designing communicative protocols for encoding narrative aspects of VR-scene design so they can be translated to VR production and tested with real VR users in the future. • VR narrative environments have the potential to improve scenario communication. • VR prototypes combine scenario expansion (futures stories) and VR-story design. • Preference for paradigmatic discursive modes can halt futures story generation. • VR experience design enables storytelling but risks deviating from central themes. • Design of virtual places bridges scenario location and more compelling VR stories.