EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Computer game in redevelopment - Baas op Zuid

Computer game in redevelopment - Baas op Zuid - Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Introduction

Play the game and be mayor of Rotterdam.

Problem

How do you get more residents more closely involved in the plans for redeveloping a district?

Description

How do you get more residents more closely involved in the plans for redeveloping a district? Baas op Zuid (Boss of South) is a computer game that can be played over the Internet. In it, residents of the Rotterdam districts of Pendrecht and Zuidwijk can assume the role of mayor and take all sorts of decisions about the redevelopment and improvement of their district.

The project has three main goals:

First, the idea is to get residents more actively involved in the districts' restructuring.
Second, the project collects residents' views and suggestions.
Third, it gives the residents an insight into the dilemmas facing those who have to plan renovations or the construction of new housing estates.

Approach

Baas op Zuid (Boss of South) is a computer game that can be played over the Internet. In it, residents of the Rotterdam districts of Pendrecht and Zuidwijk can assume the role of mayor and take all sorts of decisions about the redevelopment and improvement of their district.

The suggestions and choices that residents make in the game are stored in a database that policy makers can then use to help decide the direction plans must take. The game was developed for Pendrecht and Zuidwijk but it would be a simple matter to create new versions for other districts about to undergo restructuring or new construction.

Results

Two public events were held in the districts at which local residents could play the game.
The Internet site was visited some two thousand times in two months, and data were collected from 325 individuals who had played the game. Incidentally all data were collected from people playing the game over the Internet.

Resources used

Maaskoepel, the umbrella organization for housing associations in the Rijnmond region, and Rotterdam housing associations De Nieuwe Unie, VL Wonen and Vestia joined forces to fund the game and offer help with the content.

Contact info

ArchiCenter Rotterdam / Rotterdam Marketing
Phone: +31 10 2051500
contact@rotterdam-marketing.nl

Project start date

06/09/2004

Links

ArchiCenter Rotterdam / Rotterdam Marketing Baas op Zuid - Play the game...!

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Community websites