Iași Civic Quest: A participatory board game for convergent urbanism and architectural pedagogy

Iași Civic Quest presents a board-game methodology that translates contemporary urban dilemmas into an accessible, face-to-face simulation. Rooted in the spatial culture of Iași, Romania, the game invites players—students, residents, professionals, and officials—to negotiate real planning scenarios across four domains (Nature, Housing, Academia, and Industry). Drawing on participatory design, tactical urbanism, and architectural pedagogy, the paper argues that analog games can scaffold trust, empathy, and systems literacy. The methodological section details the game’s design-based research framework, modular components, and five gameplay phases (Challenge, Positioning, Intervention, Impact, Reflection). Following informal play tests conducted with architecture students, initial observations suggest substantial pedagogical value: role play fosters empathy; iterative mapping develops critical judgment; and structured reflection nurtures metacognition. The discussion reframes architecture as civic mediation, positioning Iași Civic Quest as a transferable platform for convergent practice in both academic and community settings.