Game Mechanics as Thinking Mechanisms for Urban Development: Critical Making of a Serious Game Dubbed City Makers

Abstract

We witness a growing interest from urban designers in technology to understand cities as complex systems. However, more than often, the use of such technologies is a one-way knowledge generation, meaning that the urban designer is the one benefiting the most. Serious games have the ability to create concepts that lead to a better understanding of the issues that arise in urban development, improving society's implication in the process. This chapter addresses the potential of serious game mechanics to produce mutual transfer of knowledge and solutions able to enhance urban development strategies. Serious games can be one possible answer to motivate citizens and create social awareness and appropriation. Discussing the City Makers game prototype, authors underline the advantages of game mechanics as thinking mechanisms in improving urban development dynamics.