City Activation Game

Developed by Instituto A Cidade Precisa de Você (The City Needs You Institute), this game translates their extensive experience supporting citizen-led urban transformation projects across Brazil. The methodology has been successfully tested at events including the Festival of Learning at Sesc Osasco and Parque Buenos Aires as part of the Cidade de Brincar project.

The game's approach recognises that sustainable urban changes require genuine community engagement and belonging. Only people who regularly use a space truly understand what will work and what the community actually needs. The board game format makes complex urbanism concepts accessible whilst ensuring all critical project phases are considered.

Players work through four key stages: recognition and diagnosis of the location, population engagement strategies, communication and education for active citizenship culture, and activation through hands-on interventions. The final stage focuses on long-term sustainability and shared responsibility among different community groups.

The game has proven particularly effective at bringing together diverse community voices and creating common ground among groups with varying interests and needs.