By: Jennifer Brazer
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen
Building Community with Augmented Reality
Building stronger, more vibrant communities doesn’t just happen by chance—it’s a process of creating authentic connections and finding new ways to bring people together. Augmented reality (AR) has stepped up as a game-changer in this effort. By blending the digital and the physical, AR isn’t only about flashy visuals; it’s about fostering authentic engagement and interaction through immersive experiences. From local events to urban planning and beyond, AR is transforming how we engage with our surroundings and with one another.
As someone who’s built a company focused on organizing information and providing clarity for clients, I’ve seen firsthand how tools—when used thoughtfully—can transform experiences. AR is one of those tools revolutionizing how we connect in our communities. So, let’s take a closer look at how powerful this technology can be for building meaningful connections.
What is Augmented Reality and How Does it Work?
AR serves as a bridge between the real and the virtual, layering digital content over the physical world in highly interactive ways. Think of it as adding a layer of useful or entertaining information right where you’re looking. Using cameras, sensors, and your smartphone (or specialized AR glasses), this technology dynamically tracks your movements and overlays 3D visuals, animations, or interactive elements over the real world.
For example, imagine walking past a mural downtown. With AR, you scan it with your phone, and suddenly, the artwork starts “talking,” telling you its origin story through animation or voiceovers. But here’s where AR really shines—it’s not just for passive consumption. It’s built to create shared experiences. Engaging with an AR-powered space alongside others fosters connection and brings real meaning to the term “interactive community.”
How AR Strengthens Community Connections
Boosting social engagement with AR tools
Why do scavenger hunts work so well at bringing people together? Because they mix exploration with teamwork and some healthy competition. Now, take that idea and scale it up using AR. Imagine story-driven scavenger hunts with clues scattered around your own neighborhood, unlocked through your phone. Libraries, local landmarks, or even street art could turn into interactive touchpoints. AR doesn’t just entertain—it activates community spaces and brings neighbors together.
Here’s what I’d recommend:
- Community-Specific Games: Organize AR-based treasure hunts that showcase local landmarks and history. Not only does this strengthen community bonds, but it also boosts pride in local heritage.
- Collaborative AR Projects: How about a virtual mural, co-created by neighbors? Imagine walking past a blank wall that transforms through AR into a moving piece of community art that every resident can contribute to.
For community-driven activities like these, ensuring proper budgeting and system organization is crucial. Here are some effective bookkeeping for community projects tips to ensure smooth execution of these initiatives.
Making local events more memorable with AR
Whether it’s your neighborhood farmers’ market, an annual parade, or even a small-town music festival, AR can take these events to another level. By adding an interactive layer, you create reasons for attendees to linger, explore, and even come back year after year.
Imagine a food festival where holding your phone over a dish reveals not just what’s in it but a chef’s live demo of its recipe. Or think about a street fair enhanced with virtual larger-than-life animations leading kids (and adults!) on an interactive scavenger hunt. Events like these become talking points, drawing people from miles away while giving locals something to rally around.
Events aren’t just about excitement—they’re opportunities to strengthen civic pride and generate economic boosts. Pokémon GO Fest in 2022, for instance, contributed a whopping $309 million to the local economies of its host cities. This blend of technology and tradition can revitalize any community. When planning such moments, don’t forget practical safeguards like insurance considerations for community events.
Real Stories of AR in Action
Case study: Pokémon Go—A blueprint for AR connection
Back in 2016, Pokémon GO took the world by storm, doing something remarkable—it turned parks, sidewalks, and monuments into social hubs. Suddenly, places people passed by every day were brimming with energy, laughter, and collaboration. Groups of strangers bonded, local businesses saw spikes in foot traffic, and forgotten corners of neighborhoods came alive.
Why did it work so well? The game seamlessly tied its virtual objectives (catching Pokémon) to real-world spaces. It got people out of their homes, interacting with both their surroundings and each other. Pokémon GO wasn’t about technology; it was about using it to foster real-world connections.
Urban planning with AR
Urban planners know that engaging communities can be tough, especially when trying to explain the complexities of new developments. Enter AR. In cities like Charleston, SC, and Washington, D.C., local governments used AR to show 3D models of future projects, from housing developments to transportation hubs. It’s one thing to hear about how a new building will look—it’s another to pop on some AR glasses and experience it visually in the actual space.
A standout example is DignityMoves, a nonprofit using AR to involve community stakeholders in designing housing for people experiencing homelessness. The result? Faster, more collaborative decision-making processes and housing designs that better reflect the needs of all parties involved. Stories like these remind us how inclusive tools like AR can be.
Revamping Neighborhood Engagement with AR Experiences
Virtual neighborhood tours
New to a town? AR can make sure you’re not just introduced to your surroundings but immersed in them. A stroll through a park could reveal pop-ups narrating its history while scanning buildings downtown could “show” their past lives as movie theaters or family-owned shops. Educational? Yes! And deeply engaging.
Weekly AR challenges
Want to build camaraderie? Organize neighborhood-wide AR challenges. A virtual treasure map could lead to hidden AR objects scattered across town or encourage teams to solve puzzles together. Not only are these challenges fun, but they also encourage residents to learn, engage, and explore.
What’s Next in AR for Communities?
AR is just getting started. As the technology improves, so does its usefulness for fostering community connections. Here’s what I believe is coming next:
- Interactive Education: Schools could turn their city into a living classroom. Imagine AR storytelling sessions where kids learn local history by “meeting” animated historical figures at the actual landmarks they’re visiting.
- Healthcare Outreach: From fitness challenges that gamify exercise around town to tutorials on handling medical emergencies, AR could play a huge role in promoting community wellness.
- Smart Glasses for Real-Time Info: Picture walking through a farmer’s market and having your glasses tell you which stands are organic or highlight which businesses source ingredients locally.
In today’s whirlwind of innovation, these tools hold exciting possibilities for community engagement.
Taking the AR Leap in Your Community
Building community through augmented reality isn’t about joining the latest tech bandwagon—it’s about making your neighborhood more connected, engaged, and truly alive. Hosting virtual scavenger hunts, introducing interactive AR tours, and weaving AR into urban planning—these aren’t just cool ideas; they’re a glimpse into how technology can bring people closer.
As CEO of Complete Controller, I know the devil’s always in the details. Tools like AR can only thrive when paired with thoughtful planning and sound financial strategy. That’s why talking shop on financial accuracy and community engagement is just as important as dreaming big about new tech. Ready to see what AR can do for your corner of the world? Let us help you get there.
Let’s start creating moments that turn neighbors into a stronger community. Learn more from our experts today!
FAQ
What makes augmented reality useful in communities?
AR makes everyday spaces more interactive and meaningful, motivating people to explore, learn, and connect.
Can small communities afford to adopt AR?
Absolutely. Budget-friendly and even free AR platforms exist, with the benefits often outweighing the costs—like increased event turnout and stronger local engagement.
How does AR fit into local events?
AR can add an interactive flair, from live animations to real-time recipe demonstrations, giving attendees unique reasons to participate.
What industries benefit most from community AR use?
Education, tourism, healthcare, and urban planning lead the charge, but frankly, any industry looking to engage with the public can benefit.
Sources
- Gensler. “How Augmented Reality Can Drive More Engaged Communities.”
- Niantic Labs. “Pokémon GO Live Events Contribute Over $300M to Local City Economies.”
- Social Pinpoint. “Is Augmented Reality the Future of Engaging with the Community?”
- Cities Today. “How US Cities Are Unlocking Planning Conversations with Open Data and Augmented Reality.”
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
