Ungenreable Activity with Sub-Urban Deactivated Zones

Papakura (a small town in South Auckland, NZ) has a number of spaces that have become targets for destructive attention. Papakura also has a youth population that is frequently not heard in community decision making, and lacks incentive to participate more in their own environment.

Idea is to use a game format to catalyse ideas (artistic, theatrical, botanical, commercial) to reactivate neglected space. This is a hybrid form of community planning consultation, geo-caching and urban treasure hunting.

Beta Test

Location: Papakura Town Centre

Date: May 14, 2008

Purpose: Locate and Reactivate 11 Insterstitial Portals located in the CBD of a sub-urban township.

Instigator: Maggie Buxton

Players: 3 Local Youth + One Youth Worker

Equipment: 2 GPS Units

Time: 13:00 to 16:00 Hours

Mission: Locate 11 Spaces using GPS Units, and Clues. Meta -observe activity and report back possible enhancements.

Outcome: Successful Location of all sites within 1.5 hours. Excellent feedback from players for future development of process.

Sample Comments and Future Refinements: GPS units need adaptation to urban environment, Clues needed deeper scattering. Next iteration involves activity at each pore.

Additional Information:

• Example Clues:

Pore 4 - An electric garden is farmed and communicated along the irish road.

     Pore 3 - A red emporium has a fascinating corner where choko and elephants tangle together.

     Pore 2 – Cross over and step behind the cobbler to broken world.

     Pore 1 - A connection between spaces with an over and an under. To get there you go around land of roses.

• Physical Environment: http://www.pbase.com/maggiebuxton/suburban_maze&page=all