The impact of AI on urban design practice: exploring practitioners’ perspectives

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This paper examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into urban design practice and its future impact. Despite its transformative potential for built environment disciplines, little is known about AI’s use in urban design. Based on interviews with UK practitioners, the study explores AI applications in urban design work, and implications on workflows and professional roles. Findings show considerable experimentation with AI but limited influence on actual design. AI integration seems inevitable, but current tools have significant limitations. Judgement, contextual understanding, and personal engagement emerge as essential human contributions to address complex urban design challenges in an AI-augmented practice.