Think kids are wasting time playing Minecraft? I’m sure all parents have thought this from time to time. What if Minecraft could do something good, like real-world good or beneficial? They actually are and it’s a shame there isn’t more press about a fantastic partnership Mojang has with UN Habitat.
While viewing the live stream of Minecon 2013, I stumbled across a great concept. Minecraft is being used to involve young people in the creation of urban spaces in economically challenged areas. Mojang has partnered with UN Habitat for a 4-year program to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016. What a great idea!
Basically, Minecraft stations are hosted and people are invited to come work on public spaces for their community. Maybe it’s creating a new playground or updating an existing area. Minecrafters work within a Minecraft world to build their dream spaces. Then UN Habitat will actually work from a Minecraft submitted design to create/update the real-life area/space.
How cool is that? Who needs 3D Architectural software when you can just use Minecraft?!? This is a terrific way to “give back” to communities and involve young people in the development of their own neighborhoods. It’s also great showing our children that a video game can be put to good use and to illustrate first-hand how beneficial it is for everyone to help others. Truly the Minecraft way!
You can read more on and more about Block by Block, including before/after and in-game pictures here: http://blockbyblock.org/. Check out information about Mojang’s partnership with UN Habitat: https://mojang.com/2012/09/mojang-and-un-presents-block-by-block/.
Minecraft Mom2Miners 
That is a really cool idea. Where is this being held?
Hi! One of the first places they held the first Minecraft Workshop was in Nairobi Kenya in a slum called Kibera. It was once labeled as Kenya’s largest slum. They have current projects in Haiti, India, Nepal, Kenya and Rwanda. Here’s a link for more details on their current projects: http://blockbyblock.org/current-projects.
I’m going to see if I can upload a photo that shows the before & after on the Kibera Project. It’s very cool to see the real-life area that was inspired by the Minecraft world.
Ok cool:) so do they take the computers over there?
I believe they do setup computers in the towns. One story talked about a young boy using Minecraft Pocket Edition on a visitor’s cell phone to create his orphanage. An inspiring story!
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