This paper examines the potential of immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology for participatory planning. A comparative study was conducted with participants of different expertise levels and educational backgrounds to understand IVR's effectiveness in co-creative planning. During two parallel workshops, participants designed a new pond area in Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve using immersive virtual reality (IVR) and a physical model as a conventional tool. Both workshops were compared in terms of user experience, landscape perception, interactivity, and participation. The results show that IVR can foster a sense of presence and engagement, leading to a more creative co-creation process and empowering the voices of marginalized groups. On the other hand, although IVR proved to be an attractive platform that participants enjoy, it presents several limitations, such as accessibility to the general public, user-friendliness, and technological constraints.