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KATOpoli - Katowice game, card game, board game

Bronze Prize in Design for Impact

‘KATOpoli’ is an educational board and card-based urban game dedicated to Katowice, the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. Developed by the URBANMODEL research group at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology, the project combines urban education, city promotion, and social engagement, helping players understand the processes that shape contemporary cities. Based on Katowice’s urban structure, the game invites participants to become city builders. Color-coded district cards represent different areas of the city, while opportunity and threat cards reflect urban challenges and development strategies related to housing, environment, economy, and society. Players compete to create the most successful district by making decisions that influence urban growth and quality of life. The gameplay addresses issues such as urban greening, heat islands, sustainable development, and social cohesion. The game includes a board, a city quiz, 3D-printed pawns representing landmarks, and a custom-designed modular die produced using 3D-printing technology. Beyond generating random values, the die serves as a spatial construction platform, allowing pawns and multiple dice to be assembled into three-dimensional structures visualizing urban development. By transforming complex urban-planning concepts into an interactive experience, KATOpoli fosters urban awareness, strengthens local identity, and encourages dialogue about the future of cities through play.

Participant category: Team of students

Company name: URBANMODEL research group

Country: Polska

Team: T. Bradecki (tutor), M. Sanigórska, P. Siudyka, A. Gałas, B. Mól, J. Nowak, O. Rosikoń, M. Zając, W. Sobol, W. Wiendlocha, A. Wojciechowski, A. Makuch, J. Pilecka, A. Krzystek, E. Fischer, I. Mularczyk, M. Sikora

Edition: 2026

Project status: Realised

Website: https://urbanmodel.org/

Photo credits: Michał Zając
Photo credits: Michał Zając
Photo credits: Michał Zając
Photo credits: Michał Zając