Mission Statement

City Blocks is an interactive educational game designed to introduce people to the core principles of land use through creative, hands-on play. “Engagement in the classroom is fundamental to education, and game-based play is proven to improve engagement levels for students of all ages (National Institute of Health, 2024).” In this game, players build their own cities by strategically placing blocks that represent different land uses, reflecting each student's ideal city. This game fosters a playful yet structured environment where learners can experiment with spatial reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving while learning about urban design and land use planning. “Educational gamification allows students to experience learning in a multi-sensory, active, and experimental environment. Specifically, learners can use these educational games for experimental learning to develop their decision-making and problem-solving skills in a dynamic learning environment (Adachi and Willoughby, 2013).” Balancing a city's needs is a complex challenge, even in this simplified version of the real-world process. Each city created in City Blocks will have a unique appearance, reflecting its builder's distinct values and priorities. This game aims to make education more equitable for all learning types and hopefully spark students' interest in the field of City Planning.