Delta Real/ation introduces a groundbreaking approach where migrants take the lead in designing their new settlements. Rooted in a mixed reality XR game, this innovative project follows a more-than-human design ethos, placing players in the shoes of Koda and Nisa recent migrants tasked with planning a sustainable and inclusive community. Aligned with the UN Sustainability Goal #11, the game aims to foster inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements.
In the face of climate disasters, authoritarian regimes, racism, and crime, migration has become a shared experience, prompting us to rethink settlement development. Delta Real/ation brings together a team of diasporic XR creatives—developers, designers, and dreamers—dedicated to offering a transformative experience. Participants immerse themselves in Koda's journey, choosing to build from art centers and schools to hospitals and homes. The game emphasizes the importance of building with care, as butterflies symbolize biodiversity, which may dwindle in population if areas become too densely populated.
The Looking Glass display serves as a window into Koda's design process, making visible to Nisa what is usually invisible - the decision-making process. After a round players swap roles and are then encouraged to contemplate gestures of welcome for newcomers in their communities.
Operating at multiple scales, Delta Real/ation addresses individual, community, city, country, and global levels. We hope this invites collaborations with urban planners bringing forward inclusive policies underscoring UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 with a commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban living.
The project draws inspiration from speculative design principles, embracing the Protopia Futures framework to explore possible, plausible, probable, and preferable futures. Through ideation processes, world-building, and collaborative activities, Delta Real/ation envisions a future where diverse communities can thrive.
The accompanying short video script introduces how players become Koda and Nisa, new migrants who embark on the journey of planning their sustainable community. The game soundtrack sets the tone, incorporating contemplative music to enhance the immersive experience. Building types and capacity, along with a diverse set of credits, contribute to the rich, collaborative tapestry of Delta Real/ation.
In conclusion, Delta Real/ation transcends the commercial city-building simulation genre, challenging participants to consider environmental impact and sustainability. By placing migrants at the forefront of community planning, the project fosters empathy, connection, and a sense of belonging. Through its unique approach, Delta Real/ation invites players to envision and actively contribute to a future where inclusivity and sustainability define our cities and communities.
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