The Public Infrastructure Participatory Engagement Simulation – P.I.P.E.S. was designed to recreate essential features of a typical American system with aging infrastructure, highlighting decision-making challenges and their consequences. It compresses time and space so that a trajectory of a series of negotiations between stakeholders, decisions and impacts will emerge fully embedded within rational and value-based judgments and goals of participants.
The game was developed in collaboration with Michigan State University. It was played with professionals associated with Meridian Charter Township board, the East Lansing Meridian Water and Sewer Authority members, members of the East Lansing community, and students of Michigan State University.
Dr. Adam Zwickle Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Half-way through the first round of the game I was totally immersed. P.I.P.E.S. is a realistic, exciting, and fun way to explore the challenges associated with aging and failing civic infrastructure. Playing just a few rounds of P.I.P.E.S. made me realize that my typical approach to decision making can affect other stakeholders in ways that I did not realize.
Derrick Franke Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
After participating in the game, I see its great potential as both a tool for research (understanding the why) and practice (understanding the how) when it comes to building trust between citizens and local government.