Metaverse and Co-design for Social Innovation: design reflections

Abstract

The chapter analyses the use of the metaverse as an environment for co-design practices oriented towards social innovation, focusing on methodological, technical and participatory implications. Through reflections and the analysis of the OSMOSI experimental project, implemented on the Spatial.io platform where the activities involved heterogeneous actors in moments of exploration, dialogue and co-creation on two urban public spaces, the authors show how immersive environments can facilitate collaborative paths even in conditions of limited physical accessibility. Opportunities emerged related to avatar-mediated participation, traceability of project contents and experimentation with new forms of engagement. However, critical issues related to technological bar- riers, platform fragmentation and digital inequalities also emerge. The metaverse is thus configured as a complex design space that requires new skills and an active role of the designer as facilitator.