Playing for the Planet? A Serious Game Approach to Land Use Planning with Students in Rural Iceland

Benjamin D. Hennig (), Ben F. Roberts, Johannes T. Welling, Marissa Pinal and Jón Ólafsson
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Benjamin D. Hennig: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Ben F. Roberts: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Johannes T. Welling: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Marissa Pinal: Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies, School of Humanities, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Jón Ólafsson: Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies, School of Humanities, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Effective nature conservation and citizen participation are essential for sustainable development and biodiversity preservation. This paper introduces the ‘Land Use Game’, a prototype serious game designed to engage citizens—particularly younger demographics—in participatory land use planning. Developed within the context of the EU Horizon 2020 PHOENIX project, the game was tested with students in two rural Icelandic municipalities as part of a pilot study. The game enables participants to assign land use preferences through interactive mapping, supporting a better understanding of land use complexities while promoting active learning and dialogue. The study evaluates the game’s feasibility, technological features, and practical applications, highlighting insights from gameplay observations, participant feedback, and spatial analysis. The results demonstrate the potential of serious games to collect meaningful data, support inclusive decision-making, and empower citizens to contribute to sustainable policies. By incorporating such tools, planners can enhance public understanding, promote equitable land use, and strengthen participatory democracy.

Keywords: land use; citizen participation; participatory mapping; GIS; Iceland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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