Children Play Minecraft to design public realm in Sharjah

• Lama (9 yrs): “I want to, have more signages and ramps for my friends with special needs”

• Muahimin (10 yrs): “We don’t have to wait to grow up before we can become designers and architects to realise our dreams.”

Sharjah: A one-of-a-kind initiative launched by Sharjah Urban Planning Council (SUPC) and Sharjah Baby Friendly Office (SBFO) – in collaboration with the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) is encouraging children to build up Sharjah’s public realm as they play one of their favourite games ‘Minecraft’.

10-year old Muhaimin, a Grade 4 student at the International School of Creative Science, said: “We don’t have to wait to grow up before we can become designers and architects to realise our dreams. Through this exercise, I can explore the area and I can build play areas, a cycling track, an exercising spot and whatever I can imagine”. 

Another Grade 3 student, 9-year old Lama said: “Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and building something. I have been playing with it for many years now. I want to build a fountain, a skating rink, have more signages and ramps for my friends with special needs and install more bins in my public space”.

Students expressed their delight at this initiative through a two-day workshop that was held on Tuesday and Wednesday for 50 participants from the International School of Creative Science.

They were introduced to the initiative, its goals, and the importance of having their say in the design and development of public spaces. A brainstorming session was held where students shared their thoughts and ideas of what they liked and disliked, and organized their priorities.

Students were then divided in teams of three, and over the course of one and a half days, built and finalized models of public spaces in Sharjah using Minecraft.

Students were seen designing fences and boundaries for greater safety, changing the landscape while revealing their priorities, pushing for greater green and shaded spaces, installing more lights and benches and smartly planning the management of solid waste.

Engaging community stakeholders in the initiative, and introducing relevant government entities to its goals, SUPC and SBF organized on Monday a full-day workshop for engineers, architects, urban planners, and professionals from Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Directorate of Public Works, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Child Safety Campaign.

Both workshops were led by Jose Chong, Urban Planning and Design Expert, and Christelle Lahoud, Architect and urban planner at UN Habitat.

The initiative is part of the Sharjah Child Friendly City Project 2019-2021 action plan, with a 5-goal focus for children and youth: That they are valued, respected and treated equally within their communities and by local authorities; they have their voice, needs and priorities heard and taken into account in public laws, policies, and decisions that affect them; they have access to basic essential services; they live in a safe, secure and clean environment; they have opportunities to enjoy family life, play and leisure.

Representing the main stakeholders of this workshop were attendees who shared their perspective on the project.

Sharjah Municipality

HE Dr. Thabet Salem Al Tarifi, Director General of Sharjah Municipality, said that the emirate of Sharjah offers residents and visitors world-class services and public facilities, according to the highest international quality standards.

He pointed out that the municipality is keen to develop all the public facilities within its competence. The participation in this workshop allowed its experts to have deep insights on leading experiences and international specifications to enable them build and develop new models. The workshop generated many innovative ideas which the municipality will consider for future implementation.

Child Safety Department

Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director of Child Safety Department said: “Engaging children to create public spaces is an incredible initiative. Some of the best ideas sprout from the simplest ideas and challenges they face, that we may not be able to see from their perspective. Many of the suggestions and recommendations by children during the workshop revealed to us how they innovatively think of safety for themselves and their peers, by creating boundaries and fences or installing better lighting in public spaces”.

Directorate of Public Works, Sharjah

Architectural Eng. Maitha Al Thabahi, Sharjah Directorate of Public Works, praised the efforts of the Sharjah Urban Planning Council and the Sharjah Baby Friendly Office. She stressed that this initiative is an opportunity to develop the skills of participants and review leading infrastructure projects designed for children and young people. She added that engaging stakeholders from the government sector in shaping the future vision of Sharjah is instrumental to the success of the project. It ensures close cooperation between all related parties.

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services

Amal Abdulla Al Khamis from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services said: “Categories for people with disability are very broad. It is important to dispel the common misconception that an accessible space caters mainly to those who are physically disabled. There is a need to push for a ‘universal design principle’ that is inclusive of all needs, catering to people with varying abilities. That is why this initiative is particularly important to include children of different abilities and understand their needs and priorities better”.

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About Sharjah Baby Friendly Office (SBFO)
SBFO aims to protect and elevate the status and wellbeing of children of all ages in Sharjah. It creates relevant strategies and plans and implements them in cooperation with relevant institutions and government authorities. The office is currently tasked with overseeing the continuation and implementation of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Project (targeting age group 0-2), and the Sharjah Child Friendly City Project (targeting age group 0-18).

About Sharjah Urban Planning Council (SUPC):
Founded in 2006, the Sharjah Urban Planning Council (SUPC) was formalised in 2014, under the Amiri Decree No. 5 issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, within the framework of the efforts being made to keep pace with the overall development in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Chairing the council is Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, and is comprised of board members who consist of government directors and authorities, including the Department of Planning and Survey, the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) and the Roads and Transport Authority.

The board is composed of a technical advisory committee comprising experts from the Directorate of Housing, Sharjah Economic Development Department, Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and representatives of the private sector.

SUPC aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for urban development and infrastructure projects and oversee the preparation, execution, follow-up and update of the strategic plans for government entities concerned in urban development, infrastructure and environment issues. For more information on SUPC’s latest activities, services and offerings, please visit www.supc.shj.ae or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

© Press Release 2019