Spatial Storytelling Through Augmented Reality: Toronto’s Water and the Technocene

Abstract

This thesis utilizes augmented reality to illustrate visual and spatial stories of the Technocene regarding water in Toronto. The thesis begins by studying the etymology of the Technocene, and it establishes the need for storytelling through this definition. The thesis then assesses different visual storytelling methods to conclude that Augmented Reality(AR) is a practical approach when discussing the Technocene. After determining the need for Augmented reality, the various techniques and technologies of performing Augmented Reality are evaluated to create a technological foundation before designing the stories. The stories of water are then researched and developed into an AR experience by using the criteria to tell a situated and pedagogical story of the Technocene.

Throughout the development of the thesis, a criteria system was developed to help guide the design of the outcome for the thesis. Starting with pedagogical storytelling, the thesis utilizes the criteria to review existing research on situated storytelling and formulate a guideline for situated urban storytelling. These metrics are used to review visual storytelling mediums. Derivatives of these two metrics are also used in literature reviews of AR software to help guide the types of AR technologies and software used in designing the thesis. Finally, to assess the designed stories, all of the developed criteria are used to help explore AR opportunities for this thesis.

Toronto and its stories of water were chosen for their significance in terms of culture, ecosystem, and geography. Technocene is a multilayered framework that incorporates technology driven by social activities or issues to understand which environmental outcomes are induced by such activity. To visualize these stories, the site had to be an environment that has undergone dense urban growth to easily locate elements of the Technocene. Toronto has abundant city infrastructure and buildings built of engineered materials, being an appropriate site to spawn these stories. Four specific stories of lost rivers, porosity, flooding, and naturalization were chosen because of water’s crucial role in the ecosystem and the geographical abundance of water in Toronto.