Kicking-off the Active8-Planet Board game!
By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion. By that time, nearly 70% of the population will live in urban areas. To help understand, shape and design the cities of the future, we participated at the international event Green and fun cities of the future bringing together researchers and practitioners, students and experts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they collaborated using online tools, research and presented their solutions for the future. In the research and co-creation process, they focused on various urban challenges, including waste management, energy consumption and mobility. The central research and development question was: How can we create solutions for the future that will be sustainable, people-friendly and fun?
First Question: Why No. 8 behind the Active8-Planet project?
Because we are forming different international and interdisciplinary teams of 8 people in a single team. And these teams consist of students, university teachers and professors, industry professionals and other, depending on specific case. And one of those 8 people is the so-called servant leader who facilitates and enhances the collaboration process. So it is 7+1.
Second Question: Why Board Game?
Because it can present the whole concept of the Active8-Planet in an attractive way and can be also engaging. I believe that the main purpose is to raise the awareness and to sensitize young people with key environmental and sustainability principles of the Active8-Planet through playing the game. And it’s fun.
Third Question: What is the story behind the game?
Basically, it is a battle between good and evil. Although we are well aware that challenges of our planet and sustainability issues are not that simple and black & white. There are dark clouds around our planet, everything is gloomy and depressive. Students sit in their rooms, studying theoretical and decontextualized subjects, somehow isolated from real world problems. And at certain point they get a call to action! They transform themselves into super heroes – activating and mobilizing their knowledge and passion, contributing towards solving key challenges of our world.
