From Smart Maps to Smart Citizens: Evaluating AI-Based Urban Mapping as a Tool for Informal Sustainability Education in Manchester

This paper explores the ways in which AI-based urban mapping tools may influence informal sustainability learning, with a particular emphasis on their use in participatory “Green Walk” activities in Manchester. As cities continue to integrate algorithmic systems to respond to environmental concerns, it becomes increasingly relevant to ask how such technologies affect not only governance structures but also public modes of understanding and engagement. Grounded in theories of place-based learning, embodied cognition, and constructionism, the study captured participants’ interaction with AI-generated maps that visualised carbon data, land use, and ecological sites. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and field observations, the findings suggest that combining algorithmic representations with real-world walking experiences helped participants develop a stronger awareness of local environmental issues. The study points out both the pedagogical potential and limitations of AI-based tools in sustainability education. While they can support conceptual learning and foster new perspectives, they are not neutral or universally accessible. The effectiveness of these tools depends on how they are embedded within inclusive, dialogic, and situated pedagogical practices. Overall, this paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of digital tools in place-based learning and informal education.