EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

1758. Serious gaming to foster urban climate adaptation?

Invited abstract in session TA-61: Addressing behavioral issues of real-world problems 1, stream Behavioural OR.

Tuesday, 8:30-10:00
Room: Maurice Keyworth G.31

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Lisa Scholten
Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology
2. Aashna Mittal
Faculty of Civil Engineering and GeoSciences, TU Delft
3. Geertje Bekebrede
TU Delft - Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management
4. Carissa Champlin
Urban and Regional Planning, University of Twente - Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation

Abstract

Decision support and simulation tools often overlook human complexities critical for shifting behavior to address societal challenges, such as motivating households to adopt climate adaptation measures. Serious games offer a promising alternative for simulating real-world dynamics and consequences, while fostering learning, motivation, and decision-making. However, systematic design and evaluation regarding the intended cognitive and behavioral changes of the target population is often missing, limiting intervention effectiveness. To bridge this gap, we developed and evaluated Sudsbury 2.0, a board game aimed at supporting household climate adaptation through game-based learning. Our design hypothesized that gameplay would positively influence learning and behavioral factors that drive goal-setting and implementation intentions, key stages in a self-regulated behavior change process. We used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate gameplay effects, conducting 25 sessions with 4-6 players (135 participants total) across the Netherlands. We measured gameplay experience, knowledge acquisition, behavioral factors, intentions, and participant characteristics using pre- and post-game questionnaires, followed by statistical analysis. We present design considerations, evaluation results, and recommendations for scaling game-based interventions to address behavioral issues in real-world problems.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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