To raise awareness and stimulate thinking on the long-term, complex and varied forms of planned relocations in the context of disasters and climate change, UNU-EHS and the Centre for Systems Solutions have developed a tabletop social simulation.
The Planned Relocation Simulation is set in a fictional region inspired by real-world cases of relocations of entire communities affected by disasters and climate change. The design integrates insights and concerns shared by researchers, practitioners, and community representatives familiar with planned relocation processes in diverse places like Australia, Fiji, India, Mozambique, Panama, Senegal, the USA and others.
Simulation participants adopt different roles representing community groups and government agencies. Each role comes with its own priorities, responsibilities and constraints. Through role-play and interactions, participants access a wide diversity of perspectives on planned relocation. To find solutions to the challenges posed by the simulation, they must negotiate with each other, engage in systems thinking, and balance trade-offs.
The primary audience for the Planned Relocation Simulation are policymakers, funders and non-governmental organisations who will assist communities in their relocation decision-making and planning, but are currently unfamiliar with the challenges involved. Educators also find the simulation a useful tool for the classroom in high-schools and universities.
The Planned Relocation Simulation was designed with the inputs of researchers, practitioners and community representatives from around the world, who gracefully shared their insights and provided critical, constructive feedback at various stages in the process. The project also benefited from a knowledge and network partnership with the Platform on Disaster Displacement, and was co-funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Munich Re Foundation.
To learn more, go to: https://plannedrelocation.socialsimulations.org/
