Digital Intervention in Public Spaces: Opportunities for Engaging Young People Back with Public Space

• In Event: Hi-Tech, Low-Tech, Self-Tech: Tactics for the Production and Consumptions of Playful Social Public Spaces - I

Abstract

New digital and mobile technologies have changed the way people interact in public spaces, which now see the overlapping between traditional uses and emerging activities. In the digital age, mobile digital devices are of common use in our daily lives, influencing the way we live, work and play. Play, however, has cultural specificities and takes different forms in different contexts. In Chinese cities, it is not uncommon to see older generations dancing, exercising, and playing traditional games in public spaces. Younger generations currently seem to be enjoying more the digital playground afforded by digital technologies, removed from traditional uses of cities.

This paper focuses on new play opportunities provided by mobile technologies in public space; it aims to understand digital “play” in public space as an opportunity for placemaking and community interaction. Through review of recent mobile games and applications, the study explores different typologies of playable digital interaction in public space. Using a theoretical framework based on Self Determination Theory and Fun Theory, different platforms are categorised and analysed to evaluate their potential value as activators of public spaces and aggregators for communities.

Authors

• Kuangfan Chen, QUT

• Mirko Guaralda, Queensland University of Technology

• Selen Turkay, Queensland University of Technology

• Jeremy Kerr, Queensland University of Technology