ABSTRACT

This chapter identifies and discusses several types of games and other similar processes used in community engagement in the fields of architecture and planning. It also reflects on the roles that games and game-like approaches play within the broader framework of service learning. The primary emphasis of the chapter is education, although some aspects of research and practice are discussed as necessary. I introduce a hybrid studio (a collaborative workshop) used for a placemaking-resilience project undertaken at the community design center of a local architecture school, which is located in Detroit. I explain how gaming elements are incorporated into the design workshop to educate architecture students about societal challenges and how the challenges can be addressed via community engagement. This study is informed by findings from literature, community-based workshops, and post-project interviews and surveys, all conducted at our community design center.