Zagraj o miasto! Gra miejska jako przykład partycypacji w Bostonie, USA.

Partycypacja społeczna to proces, który ewoluuje w swojej formie w ciągu ostatnich lat. Przykład Bostonu ukazuje, że gra komputerowa może stać się elementem wybiegającym poza świat wirtualny, dając jednocześnie możliwość nauki oraz zmiany przestrzeni. Jest to sposób na dotarcie do większej grupy odbiorców, która poznaje, zmienia i kreuje obszar w sposób nowatorski i odmienny w stosunku do powszechnie znanej formy konsultacji społecznych.

The article describes the unusual form of social participation that took place in the area of Chinatown in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In their work, the MAPC group created a game presenting that district as a scene of action. The players had to choose the perspective of a chosen character among a group of 15 available characters with various backgrounds. Then lead their virtual life and notice all the problems about the surroundings the chosen person may have in their reality. The aim of this undertaking was to encourage the young generation to stand up, analyse the area and propose a fresh view on important spatial aspects in Chinatown that would help in creating the new master plan for that area. Another important output includes education of participants that in fact everyone is responsible for creating and maintaining a healthy environment and high quality of public space. Finally, it is important to remember that changing the neighbourhood requires cooperation and modern level of management. The main disadvantage of this social participation method is the price and the fact that it was narrowed down to one group of recipients. However, Participatory Chinatown should be remembered as a good and innovatory method worth further research and attention.