Gamifying Participatory Design: A Digital Platform for Urban Renewal in Gangxia Urban Village, Shenzhen

Abstract

China’s urbanization has spurred the growth of urban villages, with Shenzhen’s Gangxia exemplifying intersections of social complexity, policy shifts, and digital innovation. This study designs a gamified digital platform engaging migrant workers, landlords, and officials in participatory urban planning. Quantitative coding of structured interviews revealed core interaction patterns and preference clusters, informing platform architecture integrating real-time feedback loops and tiered rewards. Key findings: 1) Adaptive UI/UX layers address technological literacy gaps; 2) Dynamic scoring algorithms reconcile power asymmetries; 3) Behavioral data granularity determines platform efficacy. This data-driven approach demonstrates context-sensitive digital tools for informal settlements, proposing a replicable framework for technology-mediated planning that bridges socioeconomic divides while enhancing governance. The research advances practical applications of gamification and AI analytics in sustainable urban renewal.