Digital Technologies for Participatory Public Space Engagement and Design: UN-Habitat Experience using Block by Block Methodology

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

Abstract

Digital technologies can be used to communicate technical information to enhance understanding, provide public access to information that was previously only available to experts and officials, to crowdsource information and feedback directly from citizens and make it publicly available. Digital technology is also useful for visualizing ideas, thus promoting shared understanding and facilitating interaction between citizen and governments.

The UN-Habitat’s Public Space Programme was one of the early adopters of digital technologies and our innovative use of Minecraft has been widely praised as an easy and transformative way of using a video game to improve people’s lives. Starting in 2012, UN-Habitat developed the Block by Block methodology in which Minecraft is used as a simple sketching tool that enables anyone - even those with limited computer knowledge or low education - can design neighborhoods or public spaces with limited training.

The paper analyses the Block by Block experience in nearly 100 projects in 30 countries. Observations carried out from the conducted projects indicates that using technology as a participatory tool for planning and design is a successful means to include non-traditional stakeholders in a bottom-up decision-making processes. The lessons and experiences from using Minecraft showcase how inclusive the tool can be by making sure youth, women and girls are involved in the planning process from the onset. The game promotes creativity, innovation and visual learning, helps encourage dialogue between different groups and opinions and contributes to the development of important skills such as collaboration, public speaking and negotiation as well as giving vulnerable groups a voice.

Authors

• Jose Luis Chong, UN-Habitat

• James Delaney, Block By Block