In Haiti, a waterfront in the poorest part of Le Cayes is getting a makeover. The area was prone to flooding from the ocean, affecting the slums.

But before the project began and workers picked up tools, community members were asked to pick up a keyboard and mouse and reimagine this park inside of Minecraft. It's part of the United Nations' Block by Block program, which asks community members to redesign public spaces in need inside the popular sandbox game that allows players to build anything within the limits of their imaginations.

"In Haiti, we had a group of fishermen who couldn't read, couldn't write and had never used a computer, design a plan for Place de la Paix," said Pontus Westerberg, Digital Project Manager for UN Habitat. "They built a sea wall to prevent the area from flooding, and added public toilets. These models really let them visualize the changes they want to see in that space."

The Les Cayes waterfront in Haiti, which is plagued with flooding. Image: Block by Block/UN Habitat

The Les Cayes waterfront, rendered in Minecraft. Image: Block by Block/UN Habitat

The fishermen's plan, along with others, was presented to architects, and then rendered as a real architectural design.

The program was originally started to get people aged 14-25 involved in planning projects in their communities, said Westerberg, because they normally weren't the ones showing up to planning meetings.

"They are the ones going to live in these cities, but it difficult to get them to come to meetings and participate," Westerberg said. "But Minecraft has had 50 million copies sold. We thought when we started it would be a good way to get young people involved."

UN Habitat, a branch of the international organization, works within cities around the world on issues like urban planning, communication between government and its citizens, and securing funding for social services. Block by Block is part of the Global Public Space Program, which wants to upgrade 300 public spaces in the next three years.

Public spaces, which include parks, marketplaces and public squares, but also things like streets and sidewalks, are very important for the health of a growing city. A city like New York, which has made public spaces a priority, is 60% public space; Nairobi, a developing city, is only 8 to 10% public space, Westerberg said.

Mobilizing through Minecraft

UN Habitat approached Minecraft's maker, Mojang, in 2012. Westerberg said the company was very receptive, and works with UN Habitat on multiple steps of the process.

Four cities have been added to the Block-by-Block program: Le Cayes; Kiritpur, Nepal; Nairobi, Kenya; and Mexico City. At the start of the program, a UK-based Minecraft modding group FyreUK builds the region inside the game.

Kirtipur is one of the oldest towns Kathmandu Valley, and some of its public spaces badly needed renovation. A side-by-side of the real world and Minecraft version. Image: Block by Block/UN Habitat

Westerberg's team then works with community groups, which could include neighbors, business owners, nearby residents and anyone who would use the space frequently. While UN Habitat had planned to target only younger users, Minecraft has been more easy to integrate than they thought.

"After just some basic training, it's amazing how quickly people pick it up," Westerberg said. "It's great seeing groups of people sitting around the computer and working in that kind of way.

"Some people wanted us to use more traditional design software like 3D Studio Max, but I think the multiplayer element is really fascinating. People come into a game together and pick up roles like real life. There are designers doing the layout, builders, and projects managers."

And it's not just easier for community groups to visualize their ideas inside Minecraft's digital landscapes. Despite the blocky appearance, Westerberg said architects and government groups look at the models as well.

"In the project in Nairobi, there was a disagreement about the size of the football field being built," Westerberg said. "Getting the architects to walk around the model with the community members, they could actually agree on something."

The models are then given to architects, and then presented to the city's governing bodies for consideration.

While funding these projects is often a struggle, Westerberg said, since each costs about $100,000 and there are 300 in the pipeline. Mojang has also been instrumental in fundraising by tapping its broad player base. The company sells calendars and in-game currency at Walmart that each donate proceeds to Block by Block, and sold a bundle of experimental games through Humble Bundle.

Westerberg will present Block by Block's progress at the Games for Change Festival held this week in New York City at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Other speakers include Jane McGonigal and Journey designer Jenova Chen.