block by block - un-habitat using minecraft to engage citizens in public space design

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MINECRAFT IN PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN

#blockbyblock

Pontus Westerberg

#blockbyblock

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The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency

for sustainable towns and cities.

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UN-HABITAT IN THE WORLD

UN-Habitat in the world

Asia & Pacific Regional Office,

Fukuoka

Latin America & the Caribbean

Regional Office, Rio de Janeiro

Headquarters and Regional

Office for Africa, Nairobi

Liaison Office,

New York

Liaison Office, Geneva

Liaison Office,

Brussels

UN-Habitat works in more than 70 developing countries

Arab States Regional Office, Cairo

404/08/14

Urbanization trends 1950-2050

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Sustainable urbanization – the way forward

1. Establish a national urban policy Identify urban priorities and improve collaboration between different actors.

2. Go back to basics in urban planning30% public space as first priority.

3. Increase density and reduce overcrowdingCity infills and planned city extensions. Basic services, water and sanitation.

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Public spaces are crucial for thefunctioning of citiesEncourages social inclusion and diversity

Improves urban safety

Provides space for democracy and good governance

Improves health and well-being

Creates positive environmental benefits

Provides space for businesses such as markets

UN-Habitat’s public space programme

Colombia

RwandaKenya

Ethiopia

EgyptIndia

NepalVietnam

Nigeria

Ghana

Haiti

Cameroon

Somalia

BrazilPapua New Guinea

Philippines

Mexico

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What is Minecraft?

• One of the world’s most popular computer games• 50 million copies sold worldwide

• Players place different coloured blocks - sort of like a “digital Lego” - in an infinite world

• Players often work together in multiplayer mode online to build fantastic structures – buildings, cities, worlds

• Or they compete on servers in ‘hunger games’, parkour etc

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How it works

1. Google maps, plans and images are used to give an impression of the public space.

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How it works

2. Using the material a digital version of the public space is created in Minecraft.

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How it works

3. In workshops, participants visualize their own ideas of improving the space.

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How it works

3. In workshops, participants visualize their own ideas – in this case they have added a building to the right of the bridge.

The Minecraft models are used to influence architectural and planning designs and finally the construction itself.

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Kibera is the largest slum in Kenya’s capital Nairobi

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The Silanga Sports field is the only formal public space in the Kibera village of Silanga

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Using Minecraft for community participation in Silanga, Kibera

1804/08/14

The redesigned Silanga sports field in Minecraft

1904/08/14

Urban waterfront project in Les Cayes, the third largestcity in Haiti

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Pictures from Les Cayes used to create a giant Minecraft model

2104/08/14

Using Minecraft for community participation in Les Cayes, Haiti

2204/08/14

Walkway protects Les Cayes from erosion and flooding

2304/08/14

A new football field proposed in Fort Islet, Les Cayes

2404/08/14

New jetties and resting places at Porte de la pêche

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Benefits of using Minecraft for community participation

Changes power relationship between ‘ordinary’ people and professionals such as architects and urban planners

Three-dimensional models are easier to understand than traditional architectural drawings

Participants work together building and improving the models

Participants are able to easily build and explore their built environment by placing Minecraft blocks

Engages young people – normally a hard-to-reach group

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Block by Block at Aldea Digital 2014

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Curso/concurso en Aldea Digital

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Challenge: Redesign Plaza Tlaxcoaque in Minecraft

Participants were asked to redesignthe square considering three themes:

1.The coexistence of citizens

2.Security and safety

3.Playfulness and games for kids

Xboxes donated by Telmex as prizes.

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Plaza Tlaxcoaque is about 600metres from the Zócalo, alongAvenida 20 de Noviembre

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More than 7,000 players in total

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Over 1,000 entriesin the competition

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Nearly 1,500 entriesIn the competitionFollow the competition

live on the web server

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Our fantastic group of volunteersmade the competition possible

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THANK YOUunhabitat.org

blockbyblock.org

#blockbyblock

#blockbyblock