UN-Habitat Taps Minecraft for Urban Development

The Block by Block program provides the means for young people, and those not familiar with more complex architectural design tools to get involved in visualizing the future of their urban spaces.

Block by Block is a three-year partnership to support the UN-Habitat’s Sustainable Urban Development Network. The aim is to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016. The new program grew from a project called Mina Kvarter (My Blocks) that was a collaboration between Mojang and the Swedish Building Services, with similar aims to involve the public in reconstructing neighborhoods.

Mojang is the financial sponsor of the program, and has enlisted the help of Minecraft construction community FyreUK to held with the modeling. The first project looks at redeveloping an informal settlement in Nairobi.

Tagged 3d modeling, cities, development, un, visualization