Riga Students Reimagine Thier City Through Innovative Minecraft project
Over 70 students from ten Riga schools are participating in a unique project that aims to empower young voices in urban planning. The initiative, called “Resilient cities with minecraft: an innovative youth-led policy process for a enduring Europe” (MC-YOU), is a two-year Erasmus+ funded project running from November 2023 to November 2025.
The project utilizes the popular video game “minecraft education” to engage students in reimagining public spaces within Riga.Through workshops, students learn about sustainable city planning, resilience, and the importance of community involvement in shaping their environment. they are encouraged to envision inclusive and accessible urban designs that meet the needs of all residents.
“With this project, we want to make children feel that we are interested in their ideas and needs,” says Mārtiņš Enelis, a project expert from Riga’s Department of Urban Growth. “We want to teach children from the beginning that they have the right to be partners in the development of places in Riga.”
The project goes beyond simply creating virtual models in “Minecraft Education.” Students will present their visions to the public, engaging with municipal representatives, residents, and professionals in open forums. These discussions will inform their final designs, balancing aspirational visions with the realities of urban planning regulations.
In April 2024, a jury will anonymously evaluate the student-created visions. Following this evaluation, residents of Riga will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite designs. The project hopes to demonstrate the valuable contributions young people can make to urban development and inspire a more inclusive approach to city planning.
The MC-YOU project is led by the European network Out of the Box International (Poland) and involves partners from faro (Portugal), Sandanski (Bulgaria), INA EUROPE (France), CESIE Palermo (Italy), the Union of Baltic Cities (UBC), and SIA LINK DMT SRL (Modena, Italy). The total cost of the project in Riga is 48,675 euros,with 10% co-financed by the Riga municipality.
## Riga Students Dream Big: Reimagining Their City through Minecraft [[1](https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/riga-uses-minecraft-to-involve-young-peopel-in-urban-planning-11376)]
**Archyde:** Mārtiņš Enelis, Riga’s Department of Urban Growth is using an innovative approach to urban planning, empowering young minds through the power of Minecraft. Can you tell us more about this exciting project and its goals?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Certainly. This project, “Resilient cities wiht minecraft: an innovative youth-led policy process for a enduring Europe” (MC-YOU), is all about giving students a voice in shaping their future city. We want them to feel heard and understand they have a right to be partners in urban progress.
**Archyde:** So, how dose Minecraft fit into this aspiring plan?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** minecraft Education provides a fun and engaging platform for students to visualize their ideas. Through workshops, they learn about enduring planning, resilience, and the importance of inclusive designs that serve everyone in the community.
**Archyde:** Its more than just a virtual playground, isn’t it? what happens after the students create their designs?
**Mārtiņš enelis:** The project goes beyond the digital realm. Students will present their visions to the public, engaging in discussions with municipal representatives, residents, and professionals. This feedback loop ensures their designs are practical and reflect the needs of the community.
**Archyde:** That’s an exciting way to bridge the gap between young voices and established urban planning practices. What role does public voting play in the project?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Once the designs are finalized, residents will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. This not only spotlights the students’ work but also demonstrates the power of community collaboration in shaping our urban surroundings.
**Archyde:** This project seems like a powerful model for cities worldwide. Do you think it could inspire a more inclusive approach to urban planning?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Absolutely. We believe this project can demonstrate the valuable contributions young people can make to urban development. By giving them a platform to share their ideas, we’re not just building better cities, but also fostering a new generation of engaged citizens.
**Archyde:** Do you think young people’s perspectives on urban planning are different from those of adults? What unique insights do they bring to the table?
## Minecraft Architects: Reimagining Riga with Youthful Visions
**Intro Music**
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde, where we explore innovative approaches to urban design and community engagement. Today, we’re diving into a unique project unfolding in Riga, Latvia, where young minds are using video games to reshape their city’s future.Joining us to discuss “Resilient Cities with Minecraft: An Innovative Youth-Led Policy Process for a Enduring Europe” is Mārtiņš Enelis, a project expert from Riga’s Department of Urban Growth. Welcome to the show, Mārtiņš.
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, tell us about this exciting project. It seems to be combining education, technology, and urban planning in a very creative way.
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Absolutely. At its heart, MC-YOU empowers 70 students from ten Riga schools to actively participate in shaping their urban environment. we’re using “minecraft Education”, a powerful tool that lets them visualize and design public spaces in a fun, interactive manner.
**Host:** That’s fascinating! How does “Minecraft Education” translate into real-world urban planning concepts?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** Thru workshops,students learn about sustainable city planning,the importance of community involvement,and how to create inclusive,accessible designs. Think about it – they’re not just building virtual structures; they’re learning about green spaces, accessible transportation, and how to cater to the needs of all residents.
**Host:** You mentioned community involvement. How does that play into the project?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** A vital part of MC-YOU is the dialog. Students will present their visions to the public, engaging with municipal representatives, residents, and experts in open forums. This ensures their ideas are grounded in real-world constraints and reflect the diverse perspectives of the community.
**host:** That sounds like a powerful way to bridge the gap between young people and city planners. What are the next steps for the project?
**Mārtiņš Enelis:** In April 2024, a jury will anonymously evaluate the student creations. Following that, Residents of riga will have the possibility to vote for their favourite designs. We beleive this open process will not only highlight the creativity of these young architects but also demonstrate the value of embracing youth perspectives in urban development.
**Host:** I have to say, this project is truly inspiring. It shows the power of technology to engage young minds and spark imaginations while fostering a sense of civic duty.
Mārtiņš Enelis:** Exactly. “MC-YOU” aims to empower young voices and make them feel like active partners in shaping their city. We hope it inspires a more inclusive approach to urban planning, one where the needs and aspirations of future generations are truly at the heart of design decisions.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Mārtiņš. We look forward to following the progress of MC-YOU and witnessing the creative visions of these young architects come to life.
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