Existing Emirati public housing presents a significant challenge due to their high Energy Use Intensity (EUI) with its associated environmental impacts that hinder the achievement of local Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially Goals11 and 13. To address this challenge, sustainable retrofitting of the existing public single-family housing stock is essential but with genuine engagement of residents. Conventional engagement methods have proven insufficient, prompting the examination of the advanced e-participatory tools. Methodologically, the research employed BIM digital modeling, Insight energy simulation analysis, and immersive VR sessions with in-depth interviews to engage Emirati residents directly in the retrofitting decision-making process. Energy analysis of the retrofitted representative housing model demonstrated a significant reduction of approximately 29 % in energy consumption following the implementation of limestone cladding and rigid thermal insulation external wall system, indicating substantial improvements in energy efficiency. The research explored the effectiveness of e-participatory sessions utilizing advanced Virtual reality tools, where residents and researchers convened in a virtual environment to evaluate the professionally proposed retrofitting scenario for their existing houses. In this immersive digital setting, residents visualized the proposed retrofitting materials and components and managed to provide insights and preferences about their housing thermal retrofitting decisions. Despite some challenges such as time consumption and some technical issues, the applied e-participatory technique proved largely successful, enabling residents to comprehend the technical aspects of the retrofitting process and contribute meaningfully to its decision-making. The interviews conducted during and after the VR sessions provided insights into residents' perceptions and preferences regarding the benefits of using limestone as a local cladding material, cost considerations, and the importance of the government support. By advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, this research contributes to creating resilient, energy-efficient, and inclusive communities in the UAE (and possibly beyond), aligning with the global agenda for sustainable development and climate actions. Further research is needed to explore additional retrofitting scenarios, assess long-term performance of them, and continue engaging residents through advanced participatory approaches.

Public housing, community engagement, e-participation, housing retrofitting, virtual reality, UAE