Finland city holds city planning contest using video game

MANILA, Philippines – A city-building video game is helping to crowdsource a Finnish local government’s urban planning and public policy making.

The city of Hameenlinna in Finland launched an Urban Simulation Competition using the city simulation game “Cities: Skylines” to help in the urban planning and development of the city.

The inner city master plan being drafted needs inputs in the emerging transport, service network structure, and trade issues of the city. The city is particularly seeking solutions for the Kantola and Katuman areas.

According to the site, the competition will be held from March 9 to May 22.

Players are encouraged to download a “Cities: Skylines” simulation map of Hameenlinna and read up on the city’s background and what areas they need to focus on. (REVIEW: Cities: Skylines)

Interested participants are asked to fill in an application form and choose whether to play the game using the city’s public library (Hameenlinna Main Library Youth) or play from an installed copy of “Cities: Skylines” in their own home.

Twelve finalists will be selected. The winner will be picked using the following criteria:

• Novelty value of the design
• Originality of the design
• Feasibility of the plan

This move by the city of Hameenlinna does not only signify a change in how local governments consider urban planning methods but how open they are to public participation for the common good.

– Rappler.com