Scientists from the Silesian University of Technology have created the "The Gliwice Game". The city can now be explored by means of a game of cards
How to tell the story of a city in a modern, engaging, and attractive way for residents of all ages? The answer is "The Gliwice Game" – a new urban card game created by the team of the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology in cooperation with the City of Gliwice. The project combines education, entertainment, and the latest methods of urban space research, allowing participants to learn about the history, architecture, and contemporary development challenges of the city through shared fun.
"The Gliwice Game" is the next instalment of the acclaimed series of educational games, whose creators previously created the award-winning "Housing Estate Game", "GZM Metropolis Game" and "Katowice Game". This time, the hero of the project is the City of Gliwice with its unique urban structure, districts, monuments, and characteristic places.
– There are already "The Housing Estate Game" and "The GZM Metropolis Game", and now it's time for "The Gliwice Game". This is important because all these projects were created in our city, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology. The game combines fun with education and expands knowledge about our city in an unusual way. It is one of many effects of cooperation with the University, which is so important to me, and with which we recently signed an agreement – says the Mayor of Gliwice, Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka.
The new game is the result of scientific research carried out in cooperation between the City of Gliwice and the Silesian University of Technology. The analysis of the city structure was carried out using modern GIS tools, 3D models, and team-based design methods. The result of the research is not only a card game, but also a scientific monograph devoted to the urban space.
What is "The Gliwice Game"?
The deck consists of 52 cards and 3 jokers. The obverses feature characteristic objects and spaces representing individual districts of Gliwice. The reverses create a complete map of the city with the communication system and administrative division. After arranging the cards correctly, players can see the spatial structure of Gliwice, and thanks to the QR codes placed there, they can be transported to digital 3D models of selected places.
The game also includes special function cards referring to events and figures related to the city, such as the Gliwice Half Marathon, Igry Games, and people who made particular contributions to the development of Gliwice. Thanks to them, participants can make decisions that influence the development of the city, while learning the basics of urban planning, spatial planning, and management of urban resources.
Another game from the creators of “The Housing Estate Game," and "The Metropolis GZM Game"
The project was created under the supervision of Dr. Hab. Eng. Arch. Tomasz Bradecki, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, who has been developing the idea of education through urban and board games for years.
– For several years now, we have been experimenting with city analyses at the intersection of scientific research using GIS, 3D models, and didactics in the game-based learning formula, i.e. teaching through the process of creating an educational game. As the main initiator of the entire series, I am proud of our students who, in a large group, are implementing one common project, which ultimately becomes a tool for further education and, at the same time, a product available for sale. In this way, at the Silesian University of Technology, we try to learn through play, because the game is adapted to users of different ages and, depending on the level of difficulty, contains a different amount of information - emphasizes Prof. Tomasz Bradecki
“The Gliwice Game” was designed for city residents, as well as for pupils, students, tourists, and anyone interested in architecture and urban planning. This is a unique combination of learning, city promotion, and fun, showing that urban spaces can be talked about in a modern, attractive, and engaging way.
Where can “The Gliwice Game” be purchased?
The new card game is now available for purchase at the university Boutique at 23, Kaszubska Street and in the online store of the Silesian University of Technology available on the website https://esklep.polsl.pl/kategoria-produktu/gadzety/gry/. Detailed information about the project, in which Gliwice is a partner, is available at grawgliwice.polsl.pl.
Sounds interesting? So, grab your deck of cards and start „The Gliwice Game "!
Text by Iwona Flanczewska-Rogalska, Monika Lipiec
Photos Maciej Mutwil
