Students challenged to design a better London
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Published
01 February 2023
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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, teamed up with best-selling video game Minecraft for the 2023 Design Future London Schools Challenge, which was launched at the University of East London (UEL).
The Mayor of London and chair of C40 Cities, Sadiq Khan, joined with the bestselling video game of all time to encourage young Londoners to pursue careers designing a better London for everyone.
The challenge takes place in the new Minecraft London World, where the mayor makes a special appearance as a non-player character. It invites young Londoners to use their creative design skills to create sustainable changes to a Minecraft version of Croydon town centre.
The challenge was launched at UEL, where 300 architecture, computing and engineering students took part in Project STEAM, a three-day sprint developing their solutions for Croydon using Minecraft London World.
The students then presented their ideas to members of the Greater London Authority, Minecraft Education and The Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe CBE, who addressed the students and praised their ideas for new community gardens, greener transport links, social spaces and pollution controls.
Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe CBE
Our students explore the Minecraft London World
A guest photographs our students impressive work
Professor David Tann welcomes Jules Pipe CBE and Sakina Sheikh- London Assembly Member
Sumaiyabinte Ismail BSc Architecture
Sumaiyabinte Ismail BSc Architecture presents to the audience
A group of students showcase their designs
Students present their ideas using the Minecraft London World
Second year student, Sumaiyabinte Ismail, BSc Architecture and her team presented an idea to use permeable pavement to create a long green space along Croydon High Street.
"Our idea was all about introducing more green spaces to Croydon. We used Minecraft to create a green lane made of permeable pavement blocks along the high street which could grow grass," she said.
"We also introduced seating spaces which were surrounded by blocks with integrated planting systems so that people can sit in their local high street and enjoy grass and plants instead of a typically polluted street.
"This challenge has been so exciting as we have been able to work with architects, computer scientists, engineers, interior designers and more to develop our ideas together.
"London is developing so quickly, but we should not forget the importance of community. The London I want to live in will have community spaces where people can build relationships, collaborate and breathe clean air."
Professor David Tann, Dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) at UEL, said: "We’re delighted that our creative, talented and hardworking students will be taking part in this exciting challenge.
"This competition will equip our students with the multidisciplinary skills they need for their future careers, where they will play a vital role in shaping new technologies, improving infrastructure and developing sustainable practices and policies.
"Our students have the potential to change the world and the work they do can improve the lives of real people and make positive impacts on the cities we live in. I cannot wait to see what incredible designs they come up as the challenge continues."
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "Creating a greener, fairer and more prosperous London for generations to come is a key priority of mine.
"Achieving my missions of tackling air pollution and reaching net zero carbon by 2030 are a huge part of this, so I’m thrilled to be getting help from the voices of tomorrow. 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."
For more information see the Design Future London challenge.