Immersive audiovisual dome for multispecies perspective taking

Despite interests in co-benefit assessments, how to effectively represent multispecies’ relationships in conservation and nature-based solution planning is poorly understood. We present the role of an audiovisual space - a geodesign dome ‘theatre’ – as a methodological platform for researching the relationships of local people to other species and visions of a multispecies future. Within this platform we built on the concept of the soundscape, situating it as a social-ecological nexus within which to explore the idea of listening and perspective taking as a pathway to increasing nature connectedness. Working with local urban planners and decision makers in Tampere in Finland, we created and facilitated an audiovisual journey to the future. In these envisioning sessions participants imagined, co-created and discussed various desirable and undesirable visions for a multispecies city in 2050. To explore the potential of this platform as a co-design space to foster human empathy towards the needs of other species in urban nature, we also worked with local school children in Tampere, aged 16-18. We combined educational classroom interventions and in-situ soundwalks in their local neighbourhoods, with reflective discussions inside the dome to explore together how this space could be used by both schoolchildren and teachers. We found that local planners and decision makers felt the audiovisual space encouraged them to think beyond the present and envision an array of sustainable and inclusive futures for both humans and other species. Local schoolchildren identified clear ideas for how existing topics in their geography curriculum could be better taught in this immersive space. Reflecting on the lack of situated learning in current teaching practice, they also highlighted how such a space could allow them to both travel in space and time, bringing them closer to landscapes and species they could not otherwise reach. We conclude our presentation by discussing some of the opportunities and risks of immersive digital engagement in providing compelling learning experiences for policy makers and children, and how this can contribute to more effective nature conservation planning going forward.