«We’re using a video game to crowdsource urban design ideas from everyday people»
«We’re using a video game to crowdsource urban design ideas from everyday people»
Cities concentrate opportunity, innovation, and cultural life — but they also concentrate emissions. Today, urban areas account for nearly 70% of global carbon emissions, a reality closely tied to decades of planning models built around separation of uses, long distances, and car dependency. As cities grapple with the urgent need to become more sustainable, inclusive, and livable, the question is no longer whether urban models must change, but how — and with whom — this transformation should be designed.
For Pontus Westerberg, Senior Partnerships Adviser for UN-Habitat, the answer lies in rethinking both urban form and urban governance. Compact, mixed-use, and socially diverse cities are not only more efficient and walkable; they also demand new ways of understanding how cities function and who gets to shape them. In this context, digital technologies — from data analytics to artificial intelligence — can support better decision-making. Yet their most transformative potential emerges when they are used to expand public participation.
This is the premise behind Block by Block, UN-Habitat’s initiative that reimagines urban planning as a collaborative process. By using Minecraft — a widely accessible and intuitive video game — communities of all ages and backgrounds are able to visualize, discuss, and co-design their public spaces, engaging directly with planners and policymakers. Since its launch, the initiative has helped translate citizen-led ideas into built projects across dozens of cities worldwide.
In this CitiesToBe interview, we speak with Pontus Westerberg about urban sprawl, participatory planning, and how unconventional tools can help cities become greener, fairer, and more democratic—by placing people at the center of urban transformation.
Image by Thandy Yung on Unsplash
Cities face many challenges, which vary depending on where you are in the world. Security is a major issue in many cities—being able to walk safely between work and home, for example. Gender-based violence, street harassment, and related concerns are significant problems. So safety is definitely one key issue.
Another pressing challenge is unsustainability. Cities are responsible for about 70 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, much of which stems from urban sprawl. Many cities are sprawling in ways that force residents to travel long distances, often between home and work.
The dominant urban planning model of the 20th century prioritized car use, leading to sprawling cities with insufficient public transportation and limited alternatives for getting around. This creates an unsustainable situation that urgently needs to change. We must shift to a 21st-century model that promotes inclusivity, sustainability, and improved quality of life.
Technology plays an important role in 21st-century urban development, but it’s not the only factor. It’s crucial to plan cities well—achieving the right density, mixed-use spaces so people don’t have to live far from work, and social integration to avoid segregation of rich and poor communities. Getting the city’s configuration right is fundamental.
Technology can help by providing tools like drones, big data, and artificial intelligence to better map and understand how cities function. We can optimize mobility systems and improve how people move through urban spaces.
Importantly, technology has huge potential to enhance public participation. From platforms like Decidim Barcelona to initiatives like Block by Block, technology can engage citizens in co-creating their cities, making urban planning more inclusive and responsive.
Image by Mago Brown on Unsplash
Block by Block begins with the recognition that ordinary citizens often lack spatial training compared to professionals like architects and planners. We aim to bridge this gap to enable more constructive conversations between residents and urban professionals.
Minecraft, one of the world’s most popular video games with hundreds of millions of players, serves as an accessible 3D design tool. We create digital models of public spaces and neighborhoods in Minecraft, then train residents in how to use the game to sketch their ideas for improving these areas.
Residents use Minecraft to propose design ideas, and policymakers then listen to these proposals. Together, they discuss how to incorporate the community’s vision into final plans and implementations. Essentially, we’re using a popular, user-friendly game to crowdsource urban design ideas from everyday people.
I envision a city where non-motorized transport—cycling and walking—is the preferred mode of travel, complemented by a well-functioning public transport system.
I also want to see abundant public spaces—at least 50 percent of the city’s area dedicated to high-quality, inclusive, and green public spaces.
Finally, a city that prioritizes housing for everyone, as housing is fundamental to addressing many urban challenges. ●