The City as a Game Board

What if we made play central to our urban cultures and urban design? What if cities were adapted for massive games of tag, capture the flag, mystery puzzles, mazes and obstacle courses? In this Immanent Urbanism(s) panel discussion, we will hear from people who run large, in-person games in urban settings: Rachel Roberts, from Journey to the End of the Night, and Ben Roper from PlayCulture.

Both projects recognize play as a fundamental part of human culture and connection, and seek to bring playfulness to the heart of the city in London. In our discussion, which will take place at the music venue/ community hub Post Bar, in Tottenham, London, we will explore these two very creative projects, their founders’ and members’ relationships to the city, and why games that engage with the affordances and psychogeography of the city show that play should be seen as serious business for architecture,…