We Are Martinsville (WAM): Leveraging Mobile Gaming for Community Engagement and Improving Health

Mona El Khafif, Kathy Hsu Wibberly, Elgin Cleckley, Tho H. Nguyen and Marcus H. Divers
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Mona El Khafif: School of Architecture, University of Virginia, USA
Kathy Hsu Wibberly: Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia, USA
Elgin Cleckley: School of Architecture, University of Virginia, USA
Tho H. Nguyen: Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, USA
Marcus H. Divers: Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia, USA

International Journal of E-Planning Research (IJEPR), 2021, vol. 10, issue 4, 63-87

Abstract: Rural communities in Virginia have experienced a decline caused by national economic trends. Formerly vibrant towns with rich histories and cultures increasingly suffer from a shrinking population and a lack of new investment, directly impacting the quality of life and services like education or healthcare. The loss of identity is a hindrance to innovative planning strategies and entrepreneurship. This paper reflects on an ongoing serious game effort developed by the University of Virginia and piloted in Martinsville, VA. That city's once-vibrant community faces challenges like unemployment, opioid addiction, and obesity. We Are Martinsville (WAM) recognizes Martinsville's rich ties to its history and cultural assets, offering a digital tool in support of a creative placemaking strategy. WAM fosters community engagement while simultaneously increasing outdoor activities and allowing stakeholders to generate place-based game content. This paper describes the findings of the pilot project.

Date: 2021
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