In an interview with Arts&Culture, Kgafela explained that the game is designed as a participatory tool rather than a traditional board game. She stated that MOOT city game explores how communities can actively contribute to shaping their environments through simulated decision-making processes. “By integrating gamification into urban development, the project offers a dynamic approach to civic engagement, emphasising collaboration and real-world problem-solving,” she explained. The game allows two to five players to assume roles in a cooperative effort to develop housing and economic activities within a structured urban framework. Using land-use adjacency rules, players must strategically place tiles on the board to create a thriving city.
She further highlighted that the game’s mechanics encourage discussions about zoning regulations, economic development, and spatial justice, providing a hands-on experience of the complexities involved in urban planning. By immersing participants in decision-making scenarios, the game promotes a deeper understanding of how policies and planning choices impact urban landscapes. According to Kgafela, the game is designed to challenge conventional urban planning models by encouraging a participatory approach. “MOOT city game is not just about playing; it’s about learning how decisions in urban planning affect real communities,” she explained. “The aim is to foster more inclusive conversations and enable people to visualise the impact of their choices on the built environment,” she stated. The primary aim of the MOOT city game is to provide an interactive and educational platform for civic engagement in urban development. By simulating real-world planning scenarios, the game enables players to explore the consequences of urban design choices, ultimately fostering a more informed and proactive public. One of the key objectives is to democratise urban planning by making it accessible to a wider audience. “We often see urban planning as something reserved for experts, but through gamification, we can break down complex concepts and allow everyone to participate,” Kgafela states.
