The ‘PLAY the CITY’ foundation is created to research how simulation games can be introduced and played in the planning and transformation of cities. Such games simulate complex situations in the field of planning and city making. The foundation is developing games for different cases in the world combining the knowledge of different disciplines and experts. ‘PLAY the CITY’ is using social media as a tool to introduce new forms of society making, democracy, in the game and transformation of the city of the future.
BACKGROUND:
Today the processes influencing the production of urban space are too complex to only use planning tool based on prediction. Space, politics, climate (threats), social networks or disconnection, energy, food, transport, money and pride are important factors in the production of space and cities. Open systems are needed. Rules and conditions have to be designed in which ‘people’ can design and produce their environments.
Simulation games will be playes with the real and active actors, public and private, in different cities. The people / actors influencing regional, urban, and local scales will interact in a simulation environment derived from specific urban questions. Simulation games will act not only as a communication-framework between the different actors, but also as a medium to generate open ended plans for cities.
A game is able to simulate complex urban and regional questions. Real actors can play the game acting without the burden of the responsibility and risk avoiding way of thinking they are used to do. At the same time the game acts like a vehicle for communication between the different actors, with different interests and agenda. Big issues can be discussed in a playful manner and will result in an open conversation about a specific urban question. The decision-making and negotiation during the game doesn’t have to become reality but the simulation of a different way of thinking can have big consequences for the way the actors will think and act in reality.
PRODUCTS:
Specific “urban simulation” games on specific local and global questions
Curate and invite the right companies and disciplines concerning the question
Develop, organize and perform a participative play workshops / tour
Coordination of communication
Vision plan
Architectural project
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:22
Good idea, I’m working on a simular initative. Maybe we should get in contact
April 25th, 2010 at 18:49
Hi Rob, thanks for your response. Good to hear you are interested in the idea. Let’s meet up soon indeed.
Ekim