Pairing Minecraft with human settlement agency UN Habitat is where gaming meets reality – the basis for a documentary currently in production.
Swedish production house Luckyday has been busy documenting the ‘Block by Block’ urban renewal program, an initiative between Minecraft’s Mojang and the UN, where places of urban neglect in the developing world undergo a rejuvenation, using Minecraft as the community-consultation sketch tool.
The program puts the renewal of the local area into the hands of those that live there, engaging the citizens from child to elder, and opening lines of communication that may not have existed within the community.
With the existing space built within Minecraft, the residents access the server at community events, receive computer training, and begin building the space they desire – from street-lighting for security, to open squares, sports & cultural precincts. The submissions are assessed by the town-planners and community leaders, and a UN-funded construction begins. The benefits continue to flow right through the community.
Producer / Cameraman Matthew GORMLY continues to serve the documentary. In recent months, Matt has filmed as a one-man-band at the Kiritpur (Nepal) project, Minecraft’s London ‘MineCon’ extravaganza, and at UN Habitat’s HQ & projects in Nairobi, Kenya. In a slim kit, Matt originates on Canon C300 w/ Canon 5D & GoPro4 Black.
