We're not sure if planners will find this game, since it's so close to real life, but maybe it will make a good recommendation for friends and family members?
Julie Strupp spreads the words about the "Blocks and Lots" online game. Strupp calls the game a "cute game about land use and urban development," in which players are tasked with rezoning a neighborhood to improve the lives of residents.
"There are five basic zones in the game, including manufacturing, single-family homes, and open space. Your job is to adjust them according to what homeowner Mary Jones, factory owner JT, environmentalist Tulip Groves, and a variety of other characters want around their neighborhood," explains Strupp.
It'll probably come as no surprise that keeping the peace is harder than it might seem.
FULL STORY: Can you rezone this neighborhood to make everyone happy?
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research