Pokemon Go and Cities:
Using the Augmented Reality Game to understand Urban Settings

	Hari Srinivas
	Case Study Series C-058

Abstract Pokémon Go, an augmented reality (AR) game developed by Niantic, has had a significant impact on urban spaces, shaping public space utilization, community-building, and urban mobility patterns. The placement of in-game elements such as PokéStops and Gyms reflects urban density, land use, and socioeconomic disparities, inadvertently highlighting inequities in city planning. By engaging players in exploration and social interaction, the game reinforces the role of public spaces, promotes cultural engagement, and fosters new urban experiences. However, it also raises concerns about accessibility, particularly in lower-income and rural areas where gameplay opportunities may be limited. Beyond entertainment, Pokémon Go offers valuable insights for urban planning and policy development. The game's spatial data can help assess pedestrian infrastructure, identify underutilized public spaces, and promote inclusive urban design. By analyzing player movement patterns and social interactions, city planners can enhance walkability, public engagement, and disaster preparedness. As digital platforms continue to influence urban landscapes, Pokémon Go exemplifies the potential of AR-based tools in fostering more accessible, interactive, and community-driven city environments. Keywords Augmented reality (AR), Urban planning, Public space utilization, Community engagement, Socioeconomic disparities, Walkability, Digital inclusion, Cultural heritage,

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game developed by Niantic that blends the virtual and real worlds. Players use GPS to explore their surroundings, capture virtual Pokémon, and interact with landmarks, called PokéStops and Gyms, which are usually tied to real-world locations. The game encourages outdoor activity, social interaction, and exploration while incorporating features such as battles, raids, and events to keep gameplay engaging.

Pokémon Go Pokémon Go is a city-centric game that has a number of effects on urban spaces, including: Public space use: Players use public spaces to explore, meet people, and have fun. Community building: Some say the game has helped people come together and share a sense of pride. Placemaking: The game's PokéStops and gyms are often located near landmarks and businesses, which can help strengthen local economies and reduce crime. Urban experiences: The game's narrative and AR elements combine real and virtual elements to create new urban experiences. Identity formation: The game's new topography can help people form new identities and attachments.

The placement of PokéStops and GymsLocating a PokeStop or Gym is based on in-game recommendations made by players to the Game developers. in Pokémon Go often reflects the urban character of an area, highlighting its cultural, historical, and social features. Some key implications when comparing urban character to the location of these in-game elements include:

1. Urban Density and Accessibility

   The distribution of PokéStops and Gyms in Pokémon Go closely aligns with the urban density of an area, impacting the accessibility of gameplay resources for players.

   • Dense Urban Areas: City centers, business districts, and shopping areas tend to have a higher concentration of PokéStops and Gyms due to the abundance of landmarks, public art, and historical sites.
   • Suburban and Rural Areas: These areas typically have fewer landmarks, resulting in lower densities of PokéStops and Gyms, making gameplay more challenging.

     Implication: Urban players enjoy easier access to resources, events, and raid battles, while rural players may face inequities in gameplay opportunitiesInterestingly, Japanese railway stations have forbidden the setting up of PokeStops in its immediate environs for safety reasons. Some other public institutions have also taken such steps for security reasons..

2. Land Use and Infrastructure

   The game's design mirrors the land use patterns of different urban zones, with commercial and tourist areas typically featuring a higher concentration of in-game elements.

   • Commercial Zones: Often host clustered PokéStops due to shops, restaurants, and malls acting as gathering places.
   • Residential Zones: Tend to have fewer PokéStops unless parks, shrines, or public art installations are present.
   • Tourist Areas: Frequently have many Gyms and Stops due to monuments, museums, and other landmarks.

     Implication: Gameplay often reinforces the role of urban spaces as social hubs, encouraging mobility and exploration of public infrastructure.

   A very sparsely populated Pokemon Go landscape (overlaying an actual urban neighbourhood)	Downtown urban districts can see very dense location of PokeStops and Gyms

3. Socioeconomic Disparities

   The placement of PokéStops and Gyms often reveals socioeconomic disparities, as wealthier areas tend to have more qualifying landmarks compared to lower-income neighborhoods.

   • Wealthier, well-developed areas are more likely to feature public landmarks and art installations that qualify as PokéStops or Gyms.
   • Lower-income neighborhoods may lack such features, potentially marginalizing players who cannot easily travel to resource-rich areas.

     Implication: The game unintentionally highlights socioeconomic inequalities by linking gameplay opportunities to urban development and investment.

   

   The augmented reality (AR) feature of Pokémon Go

4. Cultural and Historical Significance

   Cultural and historical landmarks play a significant role in the placement of PokéStops, enhancing players' engagement with local heritage.

   • Areas rich in cultural heritage, such as temples, statues, and murals, are favored for PokéStop placement.
   • This can promote awareness and engagement with local history and art.

     Implication: The game encourages cultural tourism and supports the preservation of local identity by guiding players to historical landmarks.

5. Public Space Utilization

   Pokémon Go encourages the use of public spaces, turning parks and plazas into vibrant social hubs where players gather, particularly during events.

   • Parks, plazas, and squares often serve as social gathering spaces for Pokémon Go players.
   • These areas become sites for community-building, especially during events or raid battles that require group participation.

     Implication: Pokémon Go promotes active urban spaces, reinforcing their use as civic and recreational centers.

6. Urban Mobility Patterns

   The game's emphasis on walking between PokéStops and Gyms promotes urban mobility, favoring pedestrian-friendly environments over car-dependent ones.

   • The game incentivizes movement by requiring players to walk between PokéStops and Gyms.
   • Urban areas with pedestrian-friendly layouts support this play style better than car-dependent suburbs.

     Implication: Pokémon Go reinforces the importance of walkable cities and highlights disparities in urban design.

The distribution of PokéStops and Gyms reflects and amplifies urban characteristics such as density, infrastructure, and cultural assets. While the game fosters exploration, tourism, and exercise, it also raises questions about inequality and accessibility in less-developed or rural areas, sparking debates about digital inclusion and urban planning.

Pokémon Go and Urban Planning

Pokémon Go can be used as a tool for urban analysis to better understand what needs to be done in cities by revealing patterns of accessibility, infrastructure gaps, and community engagement. Here's how urban planners, policymakers, and researchers can leverage the game to assess and improve urban environments:

Some ideas for using Pokémon Go landscapes to facilitate urban planning initiatives:

1. Mapping Accessibility and Inclusivity

   Pokémon Go's distribution of in-game elements can reveal disparities in access to cultural and recreational spaces across different urban areas.

   • Observation: Analyze the distribution of PokéStops and Gyms to identify areas rich in cultural landmarks versus landmark-poor areas (often lower-income or less developed).
   • Policy implications:
     • Identify public spaces lacking points of interest and develop strategies to enhance cultural and recreational infrastructure (e.g., parks, murals, monuments).
     • Address inequitable access to resources and engagement opportunities by improving public transit connections and adding new community amenities.

2. Promoting Walkability and Active Mobility

   Player movement data from Pokémon Go can be used to assess pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and identify areas needing mobility improvements.

   • Observation: Track player movement patternsNote that in actual game situations, tracking player movements can only be done between in-game friends who have opted-in to share location information between them. Logs of player movements are tightly controlled by Pokemon Go's developer, Niantic, and are generally not accessible by outside parties. to evaluate whether areas are pedestrian-friendly or hinder mobility due to poor sidewalks, crosswalks, or traffic congestion.
   • Policy implications:
     • Enhance urban design by expanding sidewalks, creating pedestrian zones, and improving bike paths.
     • Use gameplay data to advocate for green corridors or safe walking routes that support physical activity and social interaction.
   

3. Enhancing Public Space Utilization

   Pokémon Go's social dynamics help pinpoint underutilized public spaces that can be transformed into vibrant community hubs.

   • Observation: Monitor popular gathering spots for raids and events to identify underutilized parks or plazas that could be transformed into vibrant social spaces.
   • Policy implications:
     • Improve seating, lighting, and Wi-Fi access in these spaces to encourage community interaction beyond the game.
     • Introduce cultural programs, markets, or festivals in these areas to sustain long-term engagement.

4. Bridging Socioeconomic Disparities

   The game highlights urban inequalities, showing where investments in public art and greenery could enhance community engagement in underserved areas.

   • Observation: Note disparities in Pok?Stop density between wealthier areas and low-income neighborhoods or rural areas.
   • Policy implications:
     • Invest in community art installations, murals, and historical markers to qualify more spaces as cultural landmarks.
     • Support neighborhood revitalization projects to create more public art and urban greenery that attract players and enhance livability.

5. Promoting Smart Urban Design

   HeatmapsHeatmaps are a visual representation of data in the form of a map or diagram in which data values are represented as colours or patterns. of player activity provide insights into urban traffic flow and public space utilization, guiding smart city planning.

   • Observation: Use heatmaps of player activity to study traffic flow, gathering trends, and underutilized spaces.
   • Policy implications:
     • Develop smart urban systems by placing seating, shaded areas, restrooms, and charging stations in high-activity zones.
     • Incorporate technology-friendly designs (e.g., free Wi-Fi, AR-compatible public spaces) to attract and retain visitors.

6. Encouraging Cultural and Historical Awareness

   Pokémon Go can promote cultural engagement by driving player interest toward historical landmarks and public art, enhancing local heritage awareness.

   • Observation: Track PokéStops associated with historical landmarks, public art, or museums to gauge public interest in these spaces.
   • Policy implications:
     • Use the game as an educational platform to promote local heritage and sustainability initiatives through gamified tours.
     • Partner with museums and cultural organizations to create interactive experiences that tie learning to gameplay.

7. Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Planning

   Player clusters and movement patterns in Pokémon Go offer valuable data for improving disaster response strategies and evacuation planning.

   • Observation: Analyze player clusters to identify potential evacuation bottlenecks or open spaces suitable for emergency shelters during disasters.
   • Policy implications:
     • Incorporate findings into disaster risk reduction plans, improving evacuation routes and public safety infrastructure.
     • Use the game to conduct preparedness drills or scavenger hunts that teach disaster response strategies.

8. Building Community Networks

   The game fosters community interactions, which can be leveraged to strengthen local social networks and gather public input on urban development.

   • Observation: Note how the game fosters community interactions in parks, plazas, and landmarks.
   • Policy implications:
     • Facilitate more local events and public activities to strengthen social networks and support mental well-being.
     • Encourage citizen engagement by integrating AR games with urban planning workshops to gather feedback on proposed developments.

   By analyzing patterns created by Pokémon Go players, urban planners can gain real-time insights into how people interact with cities. This data can inform decisions on walkability, infrastructure improvement, cultural programming, and disaster preparedness, making cities more inclusive, accessible, and resilient.

Reflections on Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go exemplifies how digital platforms can intersect with urban landscapes, providing a novel lens through which urban planners and policymakers can analyze and enhance city environments. The game's integration of augmented reality with real-world geography offers a unique opportunity to observe and understand how people interact with urban spaces, fostering a deeper connection between the virtual and the physical world. By tapping into the data generated by players, cities can better address issues of accessibility, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Pokémon Go's influence on urban mobility and public space utilization highlights the potential of gamification in promoting active, healthy lifestyles and encouraging the use of public areas. The game's impact on community building and cultural awareness can inspire new approaches to urban design that prioritize social interaction and the preservation of local heritage. By mapping player activities and preferences, urban planners can identify underutilized spaces and create more inviting, dynamic environments for residents and visitors alike.

However, the game's distribution of PokéStops and Gyms also brings to light socioeconomic disparities, pointing to the need for more equitable urban development. By leveraging the insights gained from Pokémon Go, cities can develop targeted interventions to improve public infrastructure and ensure that all communities, regardless of their economic status, have access to cultural and recreational opportunities.

Ultimately, Pokémon Go serves as a powerful tool for urban analysis, offering a window into the complexities of modern city life. Its application in urban planning initiatives underscores the importance of blending technology with traditional urban design principles to create more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient cities. Through this innovative approach, urban environments can evolve to better meet the needs of their inhabitants, fostering stronger, more connected communities.