Block by Block is an innovative partnership between UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and Mojang, the makers of Minecraft. In this presentation we explain how Minecraft is used to engage citizens, particularly young people, in the design of public spaces.
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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
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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 planning
30% public space as first priority.
3. Increase density and reduce overcrowding
City infills and planned city extensions. Basic
services, water and sanitation.
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Public spaces are crucial for the
functioning of cities
Encourages 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
7. UN-Habitat’s public space programme
Colombia
Rwanda
Kenya
Ethiopia
Egypt
India
Nepal
Vietnam
Nigeria
Ghana
Haiti
Cameroon
Somalia
Brazil
Papua 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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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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Challenge:
Redesign Plaza Tlaxcoaque
in Minecraft
Participants were asked to redesign
the 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.