Within the framework of UN-Habitat Global Programme on Public Space,  the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština and UN-Habitat in Kosovo teamed up to implement a Block by Block pilot initiative in support of participatory decision-making for improved public spaces. In this context, and as a follow-up of the community information meeting held on 3^rd  of September 2015 in  "Bregu i Diellit/ Sunny Hill" neighbourhood, the Minecraft charrette/ workshop took place from 11^th to 14^th September 2015 in facilities of "Iliria" College, in Prishtinë/Priština. The workshop resulted into a new and inventive design, conceived collectively through the use of "Minecraft" gaming software, for a public space located in "Bregu i Diellit/ Sunny Hill" neighbourhood in Prishtinë/Priština.

The event brought together more than 70 participants, consisting of youth from seven years old and over, local community, representatives of non-governmental organizations and the Municipality as well as urban professionals.

The charrette was jointly opened by Mr. Liburn Aliu, the Director of the Department of Urbanism, Construction and Environment Protection, Municipality of Prishtina/ Priština, Ms. Gwendoline Mennetrier, Head of UN-Habitat Office in Kosovo and Mr. Arber Reci, Secretary General of "Iliria" College in the capacity of supporting partner. Mr. Aliu greeted participants on behalf of the municipality and stated the importance of the initiative and the anticipated contribution to advancing public engagement, in particularly with youth, in the design of public spaces. Ms. Mennetrier introduced Minecraft as a tool boosting people oriented city planning by bringing together citizens and professionals with the aim to dialogue and propose options to design and revitalise urban spaces. She also invited all participants for a four-day journey made of inspiring presentations, experiences and approaches, community discussion and consultation as well as tips for public space design and design scenario in Minecraft... and gaming.

 The charrette/ workshop, as a key activity marking the project, aimed at engaging relevant stakeholders, and notably the youth in integrating and developing "former green market space" in "Bregu i Diellit/ Sunny Hill" neighbourhood in the surrounding environment by using "Minecraft".

At the day one, participants got acquainted with the objectives of the project and the process, public space planning, design and management principles associated with international examples and local case studies from UN-Habitat's experience in placemaking. Presentations and related interactive discussion were complemented by a visit in the project site, which aimed at familiarizing the participants with the site. The visit was followed by focus groups dedicated to the joint identification of respective challenges and key issues for improvement in the project site. The day one concluded with an introduction to "Minecraft" gaming software and building tutorial as well as opportunities to practice the software by using the model.

At the day two, participants were divided into small teams of 2-4 members and modeled different design and building solutions following agreed principles on the day one.

During the day three, the teams put forward their respective model proposals by explaining their models and providing relevant justifications for the proposals made. The final model was built through the on-line multiplayer modality based on the ideas deriving from the teams' proposals.

During the day four, participants presented some of the most creative ideas proposed during the Charrette/ workshop and ultimately the final model to a wider audience, including the Mayor of Prishtina/ Priština Municipality.

 On that occasion, Mayor Shpend Ahmeti, said: "Today I am pleased to be among all participants of different ages who have worked on this project. It is surprising how creative, especially the many young people, can be and how quickly they find solutions for their needs by putting the "Minecraft" blocks in the right places. This indicates that the new generations in the future will be much more advanced than us, having in mind new technological possibilities. We live in a municipality, in a community. We should establish a mindset that we should jointly make decisions about how a certain part of the neighbourhood where we live should look. This time we have chosen the site in the "Bregu i Diellit/ Sunny Hill" neighbourhood. Last year we removed some facilities designated for the market place which were never operational. After the removal of these facilities, an empty common space was all that was left. Now, it is the local community with its ideas that decides how this public space should look in the future through Minecraft Initiative".

The charrette/ workshop culminated with awarding of certificates of creativity to all participants in recognition of their unique contribution in the design of the former green market space in "Bregu i Diellit/ Sunny Hill" neighbourhood.

 This event resulted  with not only an awareness on public space design and management issues but also seventeen proposals  - reflecting possible functions and design options - and a final solution, which will serve as a basis for devising the detailed project, which will be implemented through a co-funding mechanism between Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština and UN-Habitat Office in Kosovo. Both activities, drafting of the detailed design and respective implementation will be subject to continuous consultation with local communities.

The activity was supported and facilitated by local and international specialists in the area of information and communication technology, urban planning and design.

The charrette/ workshop activities were organized thanks to the help of "Iliria" College and Green Art Center a local NGO.

 Note:

"Block by Block" is an innovative partnership between the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the UN agency promoting sustainable towns and cities, and Mojang, the makers of Minecraft.

Block by Block involves young people in the planning of urban public spaces. Minecraft has turned out to be the ideal tool to facilitate this process. The four-year partnership will support UN-Habitat's Sustainable Urban Development Network to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016. 

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