"Whoever controls land, controls the city". The GLUT game puts this idea to the test, exploring the role of decision-makers in shaping cities that are equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. In this article, we shed more light on the game concept and examine how land use decisions impact the cities we live in.
GLUT, short for Gaining with Land Use and Transactions, is an intensive, interactive educational experience grounded in game theory. It was developed by Martin Smolka, former IHS associate and senior fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (LILP), and Carlos Morales-Schechinger, former Lead Land Expert at IHS. The game demonstrates how land markets and stakeholder decisions influence urban development and the pursuit of equity and sustainability.
GLUT dives into the complex dynamics of urban and peri-urban land markets, where competing interests strive for the limited and valuable resource: land. The game simulates the challenges and trade-offs involved in securing adequate housing, infrastructure, amenities, and green spaces amongst these competing interests.
Spanning over two days, GLUT is an immersive learning tool used in the Urban Housing and Land Justice Master track at IHS. Participants are divided into seven teams, each representing different urban actors, such as commercial land users, social classes (Rich, Middle, Poor), land speculators, government, and NGOs. Each team begins with a set of land plots and secret objectives, aiming to achieve them through strategic negotiations and land transactions.
The game fosters teamwork, strategic thinking, negotiation, and a nuanced understanding of how land use decisions shape the cities we live in.
The game plays over multiple rounds and two regulatory phases: a free-market phase and a regulated phase, highlighting the impact of different governance approaches on urban outcomes.
Guided by the Game Animator, Ore Fika, participants reflect on key urban challenges, including wicked versus tame problems, spatial justice, environmental sustainability, and equity. As teams compete and collaborate, they "play the land game," gaining deeper insights into urban complexity and striving to learn the market and conquer the city!
