In an era where urbanization continues to escalate at an unprecedented pace, the chasm between people and nature is widening, posing significant challenges to public health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Against this backdrop, a transformative wave of technological innovation is emerging, promising to redefine the ecological experience within cityscapes. At the forefront of this revolution lies eXtended Reality (XR), an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Recent groundbreaking research spearheaded by Sarabi, McPhearson, Tunçer, and colleagues, published in npj Urban Sustainability, embarks on a comprehensive scoping review to unveil the capacity of XR to foster deeper, more meaningful connections between urban dwellers and the natural environment.
The study situates itself within an urgent global context, wherein more than half of the world’s population resides in urban areas, a figure projected to rise dramatically over the coming decades. Urban residents frequently experience limited access to natural settings, contributing to a phenomenon described as “nature-deficit disorder,” with implications ranging from diminished mental well-being to weakened pro-environmental behaviors. The research pivotally interrogates how cutting-edge XR technologies might surmount physical and psychological barriers to nature engagement by immersing users in digitally augmented ecological narratives.
At its core, the review meticulously synthesizes a spectrum of empirical studies and experimental deployments of XR technologies aimed at cultivating and enhancing people-nature relationships in urban contexts. One striking insight is XR’s unparalleled ability to simulate complex natural environments with granular fidelity, enabling users to experience dynamic ecosystems—from sprawling urban forests to vibrant coral reefs—without leaving their immediate environment. Such high-fidelity simulations do not merely replicate visual stimuli; they integrate multisensory feedback mechanisms, including auditory landscapes, haptic interfaces, and olfactory cues, to evoke immersive and emotionally resonant experiences.
Technically speaking, the integration of geospatial data with real-time environmental sensors has augmented XR applications beyond static simulations. For instance, by coupling satellite imagery, LiDAR mapping, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices dispersed through urban green spaces, XR platforms can generate adaptive, context-aware experiences that reflect actual environmental conditions—air quality indices, phenological changes, and biodiversity fluctuations—thus grounding virtual nature encounters in the lived ecological realities of individual cities.
Moreover, the review critically assesses the psychological and behavioral outcomes associated with these technological interventions. Insights drawn from cognitive science and environmental psychology converge to illustrate that sustained XR-driven nature exposure can induce restorative effects analogous to or exceeding those found in physical nature interactions. Metrics such as reduced stress hormone levels, improved attention restoration, and elevated mood states have been documented in controlled trials. Intriguingly, some studies further reveal enhanced environmental empathy and increased participation in urban greening initiatives following repeated XR experiences, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in environmental stewardship.
The technological underpinning of XR experiences is grounded in sophisticated hardware and software ecosystems. Lightweight, ergonomically designed head-mounted displays (HMDs) equipped with high-resolution stereoscopic screens deliver compelling visual immersion, while simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms facilitate seamless integration of virtual objects with real-world spatial coordinates in mixed reality applications. Additionally, advancements in machine learning have enabled XR systems to dynamically adapt content based on user engagement patterns and physiological markers, such as eye tracking and galvanic skin responses, refining personalized ecological experiences.
Notwithstanding its transformative potential, the deployment of XR as a catalyst for urban nature engagement is not without challenges. The scoping review delineates critical issues surrounding accessibility, digital equity, and infrastructural requirements. High initial costs and technical complexity may limit the reach of XR interventions to affluent or tech-savvy demographics, potentially exacerbating existing socio-environmental divides. Researchers emphasize the necessity for scalable, low-barrier solutions and inclusive design frameworks that consider diverse urban populations, including marginalized communities often most disconnected from natural spaces.
Equally important are considerations of content authenticity and ethical representation within virtual nature experiences. The authors urge mindful curation to avoid ecological oversimplification or commodification that could undermine genuine environmental understanding. Incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems and local biodiversity data into XR content, for example, is posited as a pathway to fostering deeper cultural and ecological significance, thereby reinforcing sustainable urban-nature connections.
The review also explores the potential of XR to function as an educational tool within urban learning environments. By enabling experiential learning through interactive simulations of ecological processes—pollination, nutrient cycling, species interactions—XR can enhance environmental literacy among diverse age groups. Such immersive pedagogical approaches may significantly amplify public engagement in urban sustainability initiatives and policy advocacy by translating abstract ecological concepts into tangible, personally relevant experiences.
In tandem with education, XR applications manifest promising utility in urban planning and participatory governance. City planners and stakeholders can leverage XR to visualize the projected outcomes of green infrastructure projects, from green roofs to restored wetlands, in immersive formats that facilitate collaborative decision-making and community buy-in. This convergence of technology and civic engagement supports more inclusive and ecologically informed urban development trajectories.
From a technological development standpoint, the evolving integration of XR with other emergent platforms—such as 5G networks and edge computing—heralds a future of near-instantaneous, ubiquitous access to enriched nature experiences. The capacity for multi-user XR environments also introduces socially connected ecological experiences, allowing users to co-explore, discuss, and co-create within virtual natural settings, further amplifying emotional and social dimensions of nature connectedness.
Reflecting on the interdisciplinary nature of this research, the authors underscore the vital role of collaboration among urban ecologists, technologists, psychologists, and social scientists in co-designing XR interventions that are scientifically robust and socially meaningful. The review identifies significant research gaps, including longitudinal studies to ascertain the durability of XR-facilitated nature connections and empirical evaluations in diverse cultural contexts.
Ultimately, this pioneering scoping review by Sarabi et al. presents eXtended Reality not merely as a technological novelty but as a potent tool to rekindle and sustain people’s intrinsic relationship with nature amidst ever-expanding urbanization. As cities continue to dominate the planetary landscape, harnessing XR could catalyze a profound shift in how urban populations experience, value, and protect the natural world, merging digital innovation with ecological stewardship for resilient, sustainable futures.
The implications of these findings resonate far beyond academic discourse, suggesting that urban nature experiences augmented through XR might represent a critical frontier for public health, climate action, and biodiversity conservation. By reimagining urban nature engagement through immersive digital landscapes, humanity gains an unprecedented opportunity to restore its ecological balance in age of Anthropocene complexities.
Subject of Research: eXtended Reality technologies as tools to promote and enhance people-nature relationships within urban environments.
Article Title: eXtended Reality for promoting people-nature relationships in cities: a scoping review.
Article References:
Sarabi, S., McPhearson, T., Tunçer, B. et al. eXtended Reality for promoting people-nature relationships in cities: a scoping review. npj Urban Sustain 5, 51 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00240-w
Image Credits: AI Generated
