Young people invited to reimagine London in Minecraft

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is calling on school and university students to share their ideas for a greener borough of Croydon through the video game Minecraft.

The initiative builds on a pilot which took place last year. The Mayor’s 2023 Design Future London Schools Challenge will take place in the new London Minecraft World, a partnership between City Hall, Microsoft’s Minecraft Education and C40 Cities. Young Londoners will use their creative design skills to create sustainable changes to a Minecraft version of Croydon town centre.

The initiative also aims to encourage young people to consider future careers in urban design.

The competition has been launched as part of the Schools Reinventing Cities programme from C40 Cities, a global network of mayors collaborating on climate action which Khan is also chair of.

Rendered in blocks

The Mayor appears as a non-player character (NPC), introducing the game and challenging young people to improve the south London borough.

Khan said: “It was an honour to be rendered in blocks and join the Minecraft family to launch the Design Future London Schools Challenge to young Londoners.

“The London Minecraft World is a fun and engaging way for young Londoners to think critically about the built environment, collaborate with friends and peers, and be creative in showcasing their vision for the capital’s future.”

Primary school-aged children can submit their solutions via Minecraft blocks, and those aged 11 and over can create and present their designs for a wider challenge using whatever medium they prefer, including Minecraft Education.

The Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe CBE, launched the challenge at University of East London on Friday, where more than 300 students took part in a three-day design sprint.

Game-based learning

Students will produce a two-minute video of their creations and explain their vision of a greener Croydon.

Free licences for Minecraft Education are available to all schools, colleges and universities in London. Faith groups and youth clubs are also invited to get involved.

Theo Blackwell MBE, London’s Chief Digital Officer, added: “Games can teach important soft skills like creativity and collaboration, but most of all are fun. I’m delighted that Minecraft London is partnering with the Mayor to bring games into education to design greener and more inclusive spaces.”

The closing date for submissions is midnight on 25 April, 2023 and a range of prizes will be available.