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Stockholm to use Cities: Skylines to plan new real world district

Cities: Skylines

I’ve heard of life imitating art, but news that one of Europe’s major capitals is to use a video game to plan out an entire new district that people, real people, will have to live in somewhat takes the biscuit.

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According to Skylines’ developer Paradox Interactive, however, that’s exactly what planners in Stockholm are proposing, using a two day workshop playing the game at the start of September to “explore possible methods for this district to become sustainable, and versatile enough to support the needs of its residents.” Hmm.

“More and more people are realizing the potential that games have – they’re already a medium that engages people all of all ages and countries, to develop and influence all aspects of our society,” detailed Paradox COO, Susana Meza Graham. “We truly commend the City of Stockholm and The Swedish Building Services in their ambition to find new and forward-thinking ways of solving real societal challenges.”

In just what capacity Cities: Skylines will be used (besides planners using it to mess around in their coffee break) is being left a little bit up to the imagination, though Paradox claims Stockholm’s planners will involve the game’s players from across Sweden and, indeed, across the world.

“One of the most active modders in this project, Alexander Oberroither, will fly from Austria to Stockholm to personally take part during the workshop,” the publisher claims, noting that the project has been organized by Swedish Building Services, Svensk Byggtjänst, alongside officials from the city.

This all smells like a little bit of buffed up PR to me, although it’s certainly true that the region in question – Stockholm’s Norra Djurgårdsstadendistrict- is a major brown field redevelopment area of the city, with an aim to develop at least 10,000 dwellings and 30,000 workplaces by 2025.

According to Paradox, the area has been remodelled within Cities: Skyline in order for planners to simulate population behaviour and needs long term. In short, it seems the game will be used to see if existing plans for Norra Djurgårdsstaden will be fit for purpose in the future.

“A citizen dialogue that functions well is key for urban city planning, now and in the future,” offered Erik Kalmaru, head of communications at the Swedish Building Services. “Computer games have shown to be a very effective tool to build engagement and generate ideas, but also to visualize the process. We undertook a previous project with Minecraft and Mojang which developed into a project spanning the world, and we look forward to seeing what using Cities: Skylines as a tool will generate.”

If nothing else, future residents of Norra Djurgårdsstaden will know exactly who to blame if the district ends up being a no go area in the years to come. Personally, I’m waiting for real life driving tests conducted in Gran Turismo, and martial arts training in Shenmue. The sooner I never have to leave my sofa to lead a full and active life, the better.