Urban Planning Game Planning Game
Urban-planning Game
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
1
Institute and Academy for Multimedia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract. The project Urban-planning game represents a way of democratic
involvement of the public in the shaping of the future of historic towns by way
of an interactive game. It is based on cooperative behavior between the
inhabitants, the experts and the government. The object of the game is acquiring
ideas and guidelines for a lasting development on the basis of people's needs
and problems. As a possible way of communication I propose a publicly
accessible cooperative nonzero-sum game on the playground of Geographic
information system technology. The player has a free use of symbolic
infrastructural elements. He can arrange them in the urban space according to
his experience, needs and wishes and in agreement with his co-players. The end
of the game is supposed to represent work and life in a modern town, organized
according to the player's plans.
1.
The Circumstances for the Formation of the Project
The idea for the Urban-planning game appeared in Split in Croatia in 2004. The town
of Split is an obvious example of the gap between 2000 years of history of the
urbanistically unsurpassable Diocletian's palace and between the present which shows
a disorganized picture and its everyday problems.
2.
Comparable Projects and Theoretic Findings
I got very few useful practical cases that could serve me as a model or comparison
and that I could test (CLUG [02], SimCity [07], DuBes [08]…).
Three parts of the theoretical basis of the game were formed: democracy, future of
towns and game theory.
These chapters confirm my original idea and its benefits for protection of cultural
heritage and help understand the backgrounds of urban systems [03], [04].
Crowding, swarming and socializing are a basic right and frequent phenomena in the
modern society. Crowds create goods and exploit them. But they also have to strike
and keep the balance. This balance could be called - the Social game. One segment of
the social game works in the sphere of urban systems. This segment could be called –
the Urban-planning game.
This is a game that would in practice be worth as much as there would be knowledge,
experience and advice of the players in it. So it has to be a mass game.
2
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
The more there would be active communication, that is, understanding, negotiating,
learning between the players, the greater and more precious would the stock of
knowledge be.
Knowledge of social behaviour, on which the proposals for the realization of the
lasting development are based, is always insufficient and all information is welcome
[05], [06].
This kind of game and the information from its contents can be used by experts to
predict the future and lasting development of towns as one of the methods for gaining
and supplementing their bases of knowledge [01]. (It does not replace the existing
methods of sociological research.)
3.
Concept of my Urban-planning Game (Fig. 1.)
Fig. 1. To illustrate the concept I will use a sketch which otherwise shows the navigation in the
user interface of the game
Urban-planning Game
3.1
3
Rules of the Game
3.1.1
Object of the Game
The object of the game is defined according to the basic guidelines of the urbanistic
plan:
Promotion of city government and its orientation towards an open dialogue with
citizens
Tools for data collection and communication with citizens (following their thoughts
and doubts, their distress and enthusiasm…)
Social cooperation which encourages involvement of citizens and their interaction on
the level of the game (find out the opinions of others, negotiate with other citizens,
allow for, understand and accept the freedom of thinking which is different from
theirs…)
Collecting ideas - guidelines for predicting future development and cultural heritage
protection
Education
Awareness
3.1.2
Elements of the Game
basic components: actual projects anticipated in urbanistic plan
place-area: game surface is a GIS map of town or part of town
roles: players are all citizens in their actual roles
events: arranging elements on the playground, forum, marking, prize coupons
3.1.3
Mode of Playing
Number of players is not limited. The game is over for the player when he arranges
the symbols on the game surface, scores the sufficient amount of points and gets the
coupon. The starting points for players are given in the description of the symbols
which represent the projects, in UP (urbanistic plan) and in Help window.
3.2
Game Levels – Model:
3.2.1
First Third:
Registration of a new or login of a registered player. The registration comprises user
name, password, local appurtenance, status of the player, profession of the player.
Demo window shows the course and the rules of the game.
3.2.2
Second Third:
The player proposes his selection on the map by indicating, selecting and placing
icons-symbols of projects (buildings) into places on a GIS map according to his real
world experience. He can also demolish some of the existing buildings. The projects
are divided into obligatory and optional ones. It is necessary to arrange all
4
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
compulsory ones and some of the optional ones without exceeding the proposed joint
value. The player has at his disposal the rules of the game in text form and a short
presentation of the urbanistic plan.
Players, registered with the same role and local appurtenance can see each other's
decisions and can discuss, negotiate and evaluate the projects in the forum window.
After discussion the player independently decides on final arrangement and selection
of projects, saves it and submits it for marking.
According to location's suitability for realization and cost and logistics justification
the player is awarded points. More points represent a more suitable solution from the
viewpoint of above stated criteria.
3.2.3
Third Third:
On Mosaic – a lottery game the player's prize appears (if justified). The prize is a
randomly chosen mosaic square representing one of the game sponsors and as such
the sponsor's prize. The coupon is printed; the player collects it and logs off.
Best scores of previous games are available to players regardless of their
participation. They represent temporary arrangement of projects and are the indicators
of the will and needs of citizens. They are presented by a GIS map and statistic data.
4.
Scenario of my Urban-planning Game
4.1
Course of Game
The player arranges symbols of urbanistic elements on the game surface according to
real life needs and tries to score as many points as possible. While playing the game
he can consult other players on the forum and compare his solutions with theirs. By
scoring points he can win the prize.
4.2
Players (Activities, Actions)
Every citizen of the town where the game is placed or every visitor who wishes to
express his opinion and propose solutions for environmental problems and
preservation of the cultural heritage can be the player. The player enters the game
after registration and login. His task is to select symbols representing elements of
urbanistic development, drag and place them on the chosen part of the playground
(GIS map) representing the part of town according to his data. He repeats the
procedure until all obligatory and some optional elements are arranged. The player
has a greater chance for better score if he discusses the game with other players. He
can do so in the forum window. The player has access to other player’s solutions by
indicating and selecting the game surface of his decisions. After a cooperative
discussion the player gains more knowledge and experience and indirectly more
possibilities for a reasonable, useful and cheaper selection. The player returns to his
Urban-planning Game
5
main game window and decides about his symbol arrangement. He saves the
arrangement and submits it to marking according to three criteria. If he wants a better
score which can be awarded, he can repeat the arranging, saving and marking. The
player can temporarily exit the game, take time to think or check something in real
world. He can continue the game by resuming registration anywhere and anytime.
More players create a cooperative atmosphere; maximum number of players can only
be limited technically. All players, regardless of their role in the game have equal
possibilities for point scoring and prizes.
4.3
Elements of Game (Use, Aims, Communication, Interdependence)
Elements of the game are the playground (GIS map), existing and planned buildings
and locations which are the subject under discussion of the urbanistic plan for the area
on GIS map.
Playground: An indispensable layer in GIS application is a map of the area, a register
of environmental units or database of all buildings in the area. Descriptions in the
base offer data about contents, purpose, use and quality of environmental units,
proprietors, managers, price and conditions of environmental unit acquisition and all
other data necessary for making selections and decisions, for example for public
transport planning, finding the most suitable locations for shops, hospitals, schools
etc. When we roll the mouse over a marker on a map a flag with the address and data
appears. So we can check at the beginning of the game all environmental elements
which are available as game elements, and after arranging all elements which have
been placed on the map and complement missing locations or substitute former
buildings.
4.3.1
Existing Buildings:
Static: changes not possible (for example cultural heritage)
Dynamic: it is possible to change the purpose, renovate, demolish, change into static
(indicate, select, delete, edit data, go back to previous or starting positions). Changes
affect the value of the building.
Value in points changes.
4.3.2
Locations:
Static: changes not possible (for example archaeological site)
Dynamic: it is possible to build, change into static location (indicate, select, delete,
edit data, go back to previous or starting positions). Changes affect the value of the
building.
Value in points changes.
4.3.3
Planned Buildings:
Dynamic: it is possible to determine a suitable location for realization (to indicate,
select, delete, edit data, go back to previous or starting positions).
Existing buildings and locations are located on a GIS map. They have all existing GIS
data and the information about the actual score (number of points).
6
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
Planned buildings are shown as symbols outside the GIS map and have data necessary
for making decisions and justifying the choice of future location and the information
about the actual score (number of points). The player selects, drags and places the
symbols of environment elements on the game surface.
Dynamic elements can be marked, selected, dragged and deleted, the data can be
edited and it is possible to go back to previous or starting positions. While arranging
selected elements on the map the existing database is supplemented with new, just
selected elements and their characteristics and new relations in the environment are
made.
4.4
Artificial Intelligence and Marking (Desired Behaviour)
The tools of artificial intelligence deal with the evaluation of the value and quality of
proposals. During the game, after every move of the player calculating realization
costs, acquiring and collecting logistic information and predicting possible
development of town is in course. The player gets the new value of points scored.
Location suitability, cost justification and logistics of new proposals are evaluated.
Above average score enables the player to participate in prize-winning competition.
Evaluation takes place according to rules and criteria established in urbanistic,
economic and logistic field. Methods, already tested in such analyses are used. The
total sum of all three analyses represents the player's final score.
4.5
Multi-player Possibilities of the Game
The relations between players are cooperative. On the forum the players discuss
possible solutions of their problems. Players, registered with the same role and local
appurtenance can see each other's decisions in the forum window and can discuss,
negotiate and evaluate the projects. After discussion the player independently decides
on final arrangement and selection of projects, saves it and submits it for marking.
Proposals and decisions of the other players do not affect marking and awarding
prizes.
5.
Conditions for Realization
The next phase anticipates the realization.
I designed a Urban-planning game. I prepared the concept. I planned the scenario
(playing technique, navigation, list of elements and functional claims of the user
interface).
I devised the realization plan.
The game is realizable under following conditions:
- finding an investor who will secure finances,
- expert and legal support of the government agencies,
- engaging a selection of an adequately qualified team of co-workers,
- using modern technology support.
Urban-planning Game
6.
7
Conclusion
The urban-planning game represents an example of a concept of democratic
involvement of the public in the shaping of the future of a town by way of an
interactive game. It is based on cooperation and anticipates thinking and creative
players.
References
1. Cecchini, A., Indovina, F. (1992). Strategie per un futuro possibile, Franco Angeli, Milano.
2. Feldt, A. G. (1972). CLUG Community Land Use Game, New York.
3. Gantar, P. (1985). Urbanizem, družbeni konflikti, planiranje, Založba Krt, Ljubljana.
4. Hočevar, M. (2000). Novi urbani trendi, FDV, Ljubljana.
5. Pogačnik, A. (1988). Kvantitavne metode v prost. in urb. planiranju, FAGG, Ljubljana.
6. Toš, N. (1988). Metode družboslovnega raziskovanja, DZS, Ljubljana.
7. simcity.ea.com (31. 7. 2006)
8. www.gymnasion.tudelft.nl/pagesUK/dubes.html (31. 7. 2006)
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
1
Institute and Academy for Multimedia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract. The project Urban-planning game represents a way of democratic
involvement of the public in the shaping of the future of historic towns by way
of an interactive game. It is based on cooperative behavior between the
inhabitants, the experts and the government. The object of the game is acquiring
ideas and guidelines for a lasting development on the basis of people's needs
and problems. As a possible way of communication I propose a publicly
accessible cooperative nonzero-sum game on the playground of Geographic
information system technology. The player has a free use of symbolic
infrastructural elements. He can arrange them in the urban space according to
his experience, needs and wishes and in agreement with his co-players. The end
of the game is supposed to represent work and life in a modern town, organized
according to the player's plans.
1.
The Circumstances for the Formation of the Project
The idea for the Urban-planning game appeared in Split in Croatia in 2004. The town
of Split is an obvious example of the gap between 2000 years of history of the
urbanistically unsurpassable Diocletian's palace and between the present which shows
a disorganized picture and its everyday problems.
2.
Comparable Projects and Theoretic Findings
I got very few useful practical cases that could serve me as a model or comparison
and that I could test (CLUG [02], SimCity [07], DuBes [08]…).
Three parts of the theoretical basis of the game were formed: democracy, future of
towns and game theory.
These chapters confirm my original idea and its benefits for protection of cultural
heritage and help understand the backgrounds of urban systems [03], [04].
Crowding, swarming and socializing are a basic right and frequent phenomena in the
modern society. Crowds create goods and exploit them. But they also have to strike
and keep the balance. This balance could be called - the Social game. One segment of
the social game works in the sphere of urban systems. This segment could be called –
the Urban-planning game.
This is a game that would in practice be worth as much as there would be knowledge,
experience and advice of the players in it. So it has to be a mass game.
2
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
The more there would be active communication, that is, understanding, negotiating,
learning between the players, the greater and more precious would the stock of
knowledge be.
Knowledge of social behaviour, on which the proposals for the realization of the
lasting development are based, is always insufficient and all information is welcome
[05], [06].
This kind of game and the information from its contents can be used by experts to
predict the future and lasting development of towns as one of the methods for gaining
and supplementing their bases of knowledge [01]. (It does not replace the existing
methods of sociological research.)
3.
Concept of my Urban-planning Game (Fig. 1.)
Fig. 1. To illustrate the concept I will use a sketch which otherwise shows the navigation in the
user interface of the game
Urban-planning Game
3.1
3
Rules of the Game
3.1.1
Object of the Game
The object of the game is defined according to the basic guidelines of the urbanistic
plan:
Promotion of city government and its orientation towards an open dialogue with
citizens
Tools for data collection and communication with citizens (following their thoughts
and doubts, their distress and enthusiasm…)
Social cooperation which encourages involvement of citizens and their interaction on
the level of the game (find out the opinions of others, negotiate with other citizens,
allow for, understand and accept the freedom of thinking which is different from
theirs…)
Collecting ideas - guidelines for predicting future development and cultural heritage
protection
Education
Awareness
3.1.2
Elements of the Game
basic components: actual projects anticipated in urbanistic plan
place-area: game surface is a GIS map of town or part of town
roles: players are all citizens in their actual roles
events: arranging elements on the playground, forum, marking, prize coupons
3.1.3
Mode of Playing
Number of players is not limited. The game is over for the player when he arranges
the symbols on the game surface, scores the sufficient amount of points and gets the
coupon. The starting points for players are given in the description of the symbols
which represent the projects, in UP (urbanistic plan) and in Help window.
3.2
Game Levels – Model:
3.2.1
First Third:
Registration of a new or login of a registered player. The registration comprises user
name, password, local appurtenance, status of the player, profession of the player.
Demo window shows the course and the rules of the game.
3.2.2
Second Third:
The player proposes his selection on the map by indicating, selecting and placing
icons-symbols of projects (buildings) into places on a GIS map according to his real
world experience. He can also demolish some of the existing buildings. The projects
are divided into obligatory and optional ones. It is necessary to arrange all
4
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
compulsory ones and some of the optional ones without exceeding the proposed joint
value. The player has at his disposal the rules of the game in text form and a short
presentation of the urbanistic plan.
Players, registered with the same role and local appurtenance can see each other's
decisions and can discuss, negotiate and evaluate the projects in the forum window.
After discussion the player independently decides on final arrangement and selection
of projects, saves it and submits it for marking.
According to location's suitability for realization and cost and logistics justification
the player is awarded points. More points represent a more suitable solution from the
viewpoint of above stated criteria.
3.2.3
Third Third:
On Mosaic – a lottery game the player's prize appears (if justified). The prize is a
randomly chosen mosaic square representing one of the game sponsors and as such
the sponsor's prize. The coupon is printed; the player collects it and logs off.
Best scores of previous games are available to players regardless of their
participation. They represent temporary arrangement of projects and are the indicators
of the will and needs of citizens. They are presented by a GIS map and statistic data.
4.
Scenario of my Urban-planning Game
4.1
Course of Game
The player arranges symbols of urbanistic elements on the game surface according to
real life needs and tries to score as many points as possible. While playing the game
he can consult other players on the forum and compare his solutions with theirs. By
scoring points he can win the prize.
4.2
Players (Activities, Actions)
Every citizen of the town where the game is placed or every visitor who wishes to
express his opinion and propose solutions for environmental problems and
preservation of the cultural heritage can be the player. The player enters the game
after registration and login. His task is to select symbols representing elements of
urbanistic development, drag and place them on the chosen part of the playground
(GIS map) representing the part of town according to his data. He repeats the
procedure until all obligatory and some optional elements are arranged. The player
has a greater chance for better score if he discusses the game with other players. He
can do so in the forum window. The player has access to other player’s solutions by
indicating and selecting the game surface of his decisions. After a cooperative
discussion the player gains more knowledge and experience and indirectly more
possibilities for a reasonable, useful and cheaper selection. The player returns to his
Urban-planning Game
5
main game window and decides about his symbol arrangement. He saves the
arrangement and submits it to marking according to three criteria. If he wants a better
score which can be awarded, he can repeat the arranging, saving and marking. The
player can temporarily exit the game, take time to think or check something in real
world. He can continue the game by resuming registration anywhere and anytime.
More players create a cooperative atmosphere; maximum number of players can only
be limited technically. All players, regardless of their role in the game have equal
possibilities for point scoring and prizes.
4.3
Elements of Game (Use, Aims, Communication, Interdependence)
Elements of the game are the playground (GIS map), existing and planned buildings
and locations which are the subject under discussion of the urbanistic plan for the area
on GIS map.
Playground: An indispensable layer in GIS application is a map of the area, a register
of environmental units or database of all buildings in the area. Descriptions in the
base offer data about contents, purpose, use and quality of environmental units,
proprietors, managers, price and conditions of environmental unit acquisition and all
other data necessary for making selections and decisions, for example for public
transport planning, finding the most suitable locations for shops, hospitals, schools
etc. When we roll the mouse over a marker on a map a flag with the address and data
appears. So we can check at the beginning of the game all environmental elements
which are available as game elements, and after arranging all elements which have
been placed on the map and complement missing locations or substitute former
buildings.
4.3.1
Existing Buildings:
Static: changes not possible (for example cultural heritage)
Dynamic: it is possible to change the purpose, renovate, demolish, change into static
(indicate, select, delete, edit data, go back to previous or starting positions). Changes
affect the value of the building.
Value in points changes.
4.3.2
Locations:
Static: changes not possible (for example archaeological site)
Dynamic: it is possible to build, change into static location (indicate, select, delete,
edit data, go back to previous or starting positions). Changes affect the value of the
building.
Value in points changes.
4.3.3
Planned Buildings:
Dynamic: it is possible to determine a suitable location for realization (to indicate,
select, delete, edit data, go back to previous or starting positions).
Existing buildings and locations are located on a GIS map. They have all existing GIS
data and the information about the actual score (number of points).
6
L. Benčič1 and M. Mele1
Planned buildings are shown as symbols outside the GIS map and have data necessary
for making decisions and justifying the choice of future location and the information
about the actual score (number of points). The player selects, drags and places the
symbols of environment elements on the game surface.
Dynamic elements can be marked, selected, dragged and deleted, the data can be
edited and it is possible to go back to previous or starting positions. While arranging
selected elements on the map the existing database is supplemented with new, just
selected elements and their characteristics and new relations in the environment are
made.
4.4
Artificial Intelligence and Marking (Desired Behaviour)
The tools of artificial intelligence deal with the evaluation of the value and quality of
proposals. During the game, after every move of the player calculating realization
costs, acquiring and collecting logistic information and predicting possible
development of town is in course. The player gets the new value of points scored.
Location suitability, cost justification and logistics of new proposals are evaluated.
Above average score enables the player to participate in prize-winning competition.
Evaluation takes place according to rules and criteria established in urbanistic,
economic and logistic field. Methods, already tested in such analyses are used. The
total sum of all three analyses represents the player's final score.
4.5
Multi-player Possibilities of the Game
The relations between players are cooperative. On the forum the players discuss
possible solutions of their problems. Players, registered with the same role and local
appurtenance can see each other's decisions in the forum window and can discuss,
negotiate and evaluate the projects. After discussion the player independently decides
on final arrangement and selection of projects, saves it and submits it for marking.
Proposals and decisions of the other players do not affect marking and awarding
prizes.
5.
Conditions for Realization
The next phase anticipates the realization.
I designed a Urban-planning game. I prepared the concept. I planned the scenario
(playing technique, navigation, list of elements and functional claims of the user
interface).
I devised the realization plan.
The game is realizable under following conditions:
- finding an investor who will secure finances,
- expert and legal support of the government agencies,
- engaging a selection of an adequately qualified team of co-workers,
- using modern technology support.
Urban-planning Game
6.
7
Conclusion
The urban-planning game represents an example of a concept of democratic
involvement of the public in the shaping of the future of a town by way of an
interactive game. It is based on cooperation and anticipates thinking and creative
players.
References
1. Cecchini, A., Indovina, F. (1992). Strategie per un futuro possibile, Franco Angeli, Milano.
2. Feldt, A. G. (1972). CLUG Community Land Use Game, New York.
3. Gantar, P. (1985). Urbanizem, družbeni konflikti, planiranje, Založba Krt, Ljubljana.
4. Hočevar, M. (2000). Novi urbani trendi, FDV, Ljubljana.
5. Pogačnik, A. (1988). Kvantitavne metode v prost. in urb. planiranju, FAGG, Ljubljana.
6. Toš, N. (1988). Metode družboslovnega raziskovanja, DZS, Ljubljana.
7. simcity.ea.com (31. 7. 2006)
8. www.gymnasion.tudelft.nl/pagesUK/dubes.html (31. 7. 2006)