Jouer dehors : un retour vers les espaces urbains
Practical examples of urban gamification become more common every day. Thereby, these ludic activities in the city present new practices that raises critical issues deserving further studies. Enlightened by the urban games studies of De Souza e Silva and Andrade and Gehl's concept of cities for people, we seek to expand the understanding about how ludic activities in urban spaces can encourage their appropriation. Through a qualitative approach of multiple cases study, we investigated how this process is accomplished by the observation of three different ludic activities in Montreal. Analyzing the data collected from observed pathways, online questionnaires and group interviews, we have discovered the determinant factors that promote the appropriation of urban spaces. Beyond that, we have also identified other triggered phenomena, such as the occupation of urban spaces, the creation of new memories, the encouragement of new behaviors, the discovery and exploration of the city, the change of function and perception of spaces and the valorization of urban spaces. Moreover, we have verified that narratives enhance all these phenomena, making the activity more interesting, pleasant and enlightened. Some ludic activities thus can be used to nourish the concept of cities for people, contributing to its liveness, safety, sustainability and health. They also present positive effects on participants, to a better live together, sociability and emotional bonding in urban spaces.
urban spaces urban games appropriation of urban spaces ludic activities urban animations cultural heritage playful city urban gamification