Immerse Yourself in West Palm Beach’s Virtual Reality (VR) Experience: Visualizing Sea Level Rise in West Palm Beach

VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE: VISUALIZING SEA LEVEL RISE IN WEST PALM BEACH

How can virtual reality help us understand climate impacts and nature-based solutions? As communities face the challenges of storm surge and sea level rise, Florida Atlantic University is providing innovative tools to support residents and decision makers in finding better solutions.

For this research and engagement project, residents of West Palm Beach, Florida experienced flooding due to storm surge and projected sea level rise in public parks along the intracoastal waterway. Participants also saw potential mitigation strategies, including seawalls and nature-based infrastructure. A survey captured their responses afterward.

The results of the randomized study revealed differences between participants using a tablet interaction versus virtual reality. In VR, as opposed to the tablet, people found the strategies depicted to be more effective. In VR, the emotional response was higher. And in VR, people were more receptive to be informed about future strategies to mitigate the impacts of flooding in their community. Learn more about residents’ responses in the project video.

RESIDENTS RESPOND TO IMMERSIVE SEA LEVEL RISE EXPERIENCE

Nature-Based Solutions

In this animation, see how cities can address climate impacts with nature-based solutions. In addition to adding infrastructure such as seawalls, communities can choose options that enhance and protect public parks.

October 2022 – November 2023

Times and locations below

Press Coverage

WPTV: Virtual simulation shows impact of sea level rise, Category 5 hurricane on West Palm Beach

extending recreational opportunities

360-DEGREE VIDEO

Picture public parks flooding and adapting in our immersive, 10-minute VR experience. After the interaction, participants contributed to a research study investigating virtual reality and sea-level rise.

Contact the scientists John Renne, Ph.D., or Serena Hoermann, at [email protected] at the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions.

Download the SLR Explorer West Palm Beach to your Oculus device

Or play our 360-degree video. When the narrator says, “Take a look around,” use your mouse, touch pad, or touch screen to “drag” or navigate in all directions.

360-DEGREE VIDEO ALLOWS VIEWERS TO DRAG AND VIEW IN ALL DIRECTIONS

When and Where – the VR Experience

October 29, 2022WPB GreenMarket
November 5, 2022Lagoonfest
November 8, 9, 12, 2022Mandel Public Library/Urban Living Room
November 9, 2022Meet the Chief at Boys & Girls Club
November 11, 2022Screen on the Green
November 15, 2022Lake Worth Lagoon Science Symposium
November 19, 21, 2022Cox Science Center
December 8-9, 2022Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit
December 10, 2022FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center
January 7, 2023NCON General Meeting at Manatee Lagoon
January 19, 20 ,21, 2023Mandel Public Library/Urban Living Room
January 27, 2023Norton Museum of Art/Art After Dark
February 7, 9, 15, 2023PBC Office of Resilience Community Outreach Pahokee, West Palm Beach, Belle Glade
April 1, 2023e4 LIFE: Green, Health & Wellness Expo
April 14, 2023FAU Science Fest
July 17, 2023Transportation Research Board Webinar, Community-Based and Equitable Transportation Response in Disaster (Invited Panel)
September 20, 2023University of Oxford, Transport Studies Unit, School of Geography and the Environment (Invited Lecture)
October 10, 2023West Palm Beach City Hall, Sustainability Advisory Committee
November 9, 2023Keiser University, West Palm Beach
November 13, 2023Florida Atlantic University, MacArthur Campus, Digital Ethnography Course
November 16-17, 2023Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit
February 9, 2024Broward Youth Climate Summit
March 8, 2024Climate Correction Conference
April 26, 2024Cox Science Center and Aquarium
May 9-10, 2024Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Summit

About the experience

During the study, our team assisted with the virtual reality googles and interacting with the immersive, 10-minute VR experience. Participants could see public parks flooding and solutions that can protect parks in West Palm Beach. After the interaction, participants had the option to be included in a research study by completing a survey investigating virtual reality and sea-level rise. Participants’ input is meant to guide the Mayor and City Commission in making important decisions for the future.

Enjoy the trailers below and the 8-minute 360 version above.

Trailers

TRAILER – SEA LEVEL RISE EXPLORER WPB
TRAILER – EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY IN WPB

Questions?

Contact  [email protected]  or 561-297-4279 and learn more about CUES research on virtual reality and sea-level rise at the  Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions.

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This project, developed by Florida Atlantic University in partnership with Virtual Planet Technologies, was made possible by a grant to the City of West Palm Beach from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity with funding provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.