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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MINECRAFT
IN PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN
#blockbyblock
Pontus Westerberg

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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

4. 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 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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+
=

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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

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04/08/14
The redesigned Silanga sports field in Minecraft

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04/08/14
Urban waterfront project in
Les Cayes, the third largest
city in Haiti

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Pictures from Les Cayes used to
create a giant Minecraft model

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04/08/14
Using Minecraft for community
participation in Les Cayes, Haiti

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04/08/14
Walkway protects Les Cayes from erosion and flooding

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04/08/14
A new football field proposed in Fort Islet, Les Cayes

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04/08/14
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 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.

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

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More than 7,000
players in total

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Over 1,000 entries
in the competition

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Nearly 1,500 entries
In the competition
Follow the competition
live on the web server

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Our fantastic group of volunteers
made the competition possible

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THANK YOU
unhabitat.org
blockbyblock.org
#blockbyblock