Human-Centered AI in Placemaking: A Review of Technologies, Practices, and Impacts

Artificial intelligence (AI) for placemaking holds the potential to revolutionize how we conceptualize, design, and manage urban spaces to create more vibrant, resilient, and people-centered cities. In this context, integrating Human-Centered AI (HCAI) into public infrastructure presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine the role of urban amenities and furniture in shaping inclusive, responsive, and technologically enhanced public spaces. This review examines the state-of-the-art in HCAI for placemaking, focusing on some of the main factors that must be analyzed to guide future technological research and development, such as (a) AI-driven tools for community engagement in the placemaking process, including sentiment analysis, participatory design platforms, and virtual reality simulations; (b) AI sensors and image recognition technology for analyzing user behaviors within public spaces to inform evidence-based urban design decisions; (c) the role of HCAI in enhancing community engagement in the placemaking process, focusing on tools and approaches that facilitate more inclusive and participatory design practices; and (d) the utilization of AI in analyzing and understanding user behaviors within public spaces, highlighting how these insights can inform more responsive and user-centric design decisions. The review identifies current innovations, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence, urban design, and human experience.