Big things are happening in Jatni! Under the Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI), an exciting Expert Design Studio took place from January 16th – 20th, 2025, bringing together young changemakers, design experts, and community leaders to shape the future of two public spaces.
Hosted at the Young Gamechangers Lab, the hands-on sessions—known as ‘Ateliers’—focused on reimagining Mundia Sahi Park & Ground and Maa Uttarayanee Youth Club Ground. These two sites were chosen by the community through a public vote earlier in 2024, proving that youth and residents have the power to lead change!
🎮 Minecraft, Co-Design & Budgeting for Change
Before the Expert Design Studio, the community got creative by designing public spaces inside the video game Minecraft! 🎮 This digital tool allowed residents—especially youth—to visualize, model, and refine their ideas in a familiar environment that mirrors the two public spaces.
To make these ideas realistic and buildable, the Young Gamechangers conducted a Participatory Budgeting exercise in November 2024, mapping out:
💰 Estimated costs of construction materials.
🏗️ Key elements needed to bring the designs to life.
🏪 Consultations with local vendors, artisans, and construction businesses.
By the time the Expert Design Studio rolled around, the designs were not just creative but also feasible!
🏗 Co-Design in Action: From Ideas to Masterplans
💡 Crafting Masterplans
In the first design session, teams analyzed the proposed site layouts, considering:
✔ How spaces are used – Who visits? When? How often?
✔ Safety & accessibility – How can we make them more welcoming?
✔ Environmental factors – Sunlight, shading, green areas, and drainage.
👷♂️ Hands-on Activities:
📏 Measuring cricket and football fields.
🗺 Tracing interventions on site maps.
🌳 Designing seating areas, pathways, and play spaces.
💡 Real-World Testing & Refinements
Participants visited the sites again to match their ideas with ground realities, ensuring the designs made sense for the space, community needs, and sustainability goals.
🎭 Engaging with Local Artisans & Vendors
Beyond design, materials matter! The UN-Habitat and EVA Studio teams connected with local vendors, artisans, and construction experts to:
🔍 Evaluate different materials (stones, footpath blocks, lanterns, bricks).
💰 Compare costs and sustainability of options.
🎨 Explore local craftsmanship for unique cultural elements.
🏛 Bringing in the Municipality & Planning for the Future
The final day saw an Atelier session with Jatni Municipality officials, covering:
📜 Regulatory frameworks – What rules need to be followed?
💡 Maintenance strategies – How will the spaces be sustained?
💰 Budgeting & funding – Where will resources come from?
Officials shared insights on long-term public space management, ensuring these interventions are sustainable, practical, and impactful.
🚀 What’s Next? Digital Voting & Final Designs!
Now, it’s time for the community to decide! Under YGI’s Participatory Budgeting process, a new e-Platform is launching where Jatni residents can vote on which interventions they want to see built.
🎮 Minecraft models with proposed upgrade are presented.
🗳️ Voting will be available in both English & Odia for accessibility.
🩺 WHO & healthcare teams are evaluating designs for health benefits.
This ensures that every resident—from students to seniors—has a say in shaping their city!
✨ Why This Matters
The Young Gamechangers Initiative is proof that young voices matter in urban planning. Through collaboration, creativity, and action, Jatni is on its way to creating inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable public spaces for all.
🌍 Stay tuned for the final designs & get ready to vote!
