FACILITATORS GUIDE

Facilitators Guide

The Ekos Facilitator’s Guide provides resources and suggested activities to support the use of the game Ekos: The Path to Resilience developed by the Urban Systems Lab. The objective of Ekos is to create a playful platform to discuss and learn about issues of urban resilience, climate governance, and community-based codesign. Through game play and discussion, Ekos provides a forum for individuals and communities to better understand the complexity of city planning and decision-making in a time of climate crisis. 

This guide provides a summary of the key ideas explored with additional resources and readings, suggested activities, and recommendations for how to assess learning as participants engage with game materials.

Presentation: Getting Started with Ekos (Download PDF)

Key Ideas

  • Sustainability: Sustainability is the ability of a system to endure and sustain resources over time. In the game of Ekos explore how to effectively build and design infrastructure systems, manage trade offs, and conserve resources. 

  • Resilience: Resilience is the ability of a system to withstand and recover from stressors or extreme events. In Ekos players are faced with a variety of challenges and must learn how to design and build systems that are resilient to extreme events.

  • Equity: Equity has many meanings and histories, but is often described as the fair distribution of resources and wealth primarily in response to forms of structural racism and classism. In Ekos, equity is a critical component of systems building, resource distribution, and collaboration amongst actors. Players must learn how to navigate the challenges of working collaboratively and factors that may impact equitable use of resources and benefits for Ekos city dwellers.

  • Adaptation: Adaptations encompass a wide range of social, ecological, and technological solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and also to make systems more resilient and adaptive to ongoing hazards and threats. In Ekos, explore how adaptations can protect your system from some damaging events. 

Learning Objectives and Evaluation

Participants will be able to:

  1. Discuss social, ecological, and technological systems, and how cities are composed of complex interconnected urban systems

  2. Understand how green infrastructure and nature-based solutions can address urban ecological and social challenges

  3. Differentiate between sustainability and resiliency, as well as mitigation and adaptation, when responding to events and proposed scenarios 

  4. Analyze real-world scenarios and apply ‘resilience thinking’ to understand relationships between interdependent systems, and propose effective solutions 

  5. Apply and utilize the principles of equity and cooperation when responding to and examining events and real world scenarios

Suggested Evaluation Rubric

Objectives

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Objective 4

Objective 5

Emerging

Able to build at least one system

Demonstrates basic understanding of GI and NBS concepts

Able to explain the concept of sustainability or resiliency, but cannot easily distinguish the concepts

Able to apply resiliency thinking to understand relationships between interdependent systems 

Able to cooperate with one other Ekos community member and considers some aspects of equity

Proficient

Able to build multiple systems that interconnect

Demonstrates proficient understanding of GI and NBS concepts and can explain how they are used to address challenges posed by Ekos game

Able to distinguish between sustainability and resiliency thinking, and mitigation and adaptation

Demonstrates proficient understanding in how resiliency thinking can be used to address real world challenge

Able to cooperate with multiple Ekos community members and considers equity throughout gameplay

Exemptionary

Able to build multiple interconnected systems and can explain how they relate and are different

Demonstrates proficient understanding and can apply to novel scenarios and social-ecological challenges

Able to distinguish between sustainability and resiliency thinking, mitigation and adaptation, and can demonstrates how to use this understanding to respond effectively to Ekos events

Demonstrates exemplary understanding of resiliency thinking and is able to use as a framework to propose novel solutions to real world challenges

Applies an equity lens to work cooperatively with Ekos members, is able to share resources effectively, and demonstrates how this can apply to real-world contexts.

How to prepare for the game of Ekos.

1. Review the Facilitator Guide and materials list.

2. Setup your room depending on the number of participants. We recommend no more than 5-6 people per game board. Create a collaborative playing environment by ensuring everyone can see and reach the game board. A large circular or rectangular table for each team is ideal. 

3. Pass out copies of the Ekos instructions guide and make sure all participants have access to the game materials, pen/pencil, and scratch paper.

Materials:

For a group of about 30 participants:

  • 5 Ekos Game Boards (6 people/board)

  • Pencil or pen

  • Paper

  • Facilitator Guide

  • Powerpoint Presentations

Playing the Game

Time: 2.5 - 3 hours

Pre-Planning

1. Before playing Ekos, we recommend introducing participants to key concepts such as resiliency, sustainability, and climate change. It is also recommended participants visit https://urbansystemslab.com/ekos to learn more about the game and its objectives.

2. Provide participants with readings and resources to introduce key ideas. Some suggested readings include: 

  • Meadows, D. H. 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Read Part One: Systems Structure and Behavior: 11 - 7235.

  • Markolf, S. A., et al. 2018. Interdependent Infrastructure as Linked Social, Ecological, and Technological Systems (SETS) to Address Lock-in and Enhance Resilience. Earth's Future 6(12): 1638-1659.

  • Klinenberg, E. (2013) Adaptation: How Can Cities be Climate-proofed? The New Yorker.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/01/07/adaptation-eric-klinenberg

3. Next, use the suggested activities and prompts below to introduce participants to Ekos!

Part 1:  Cities, Complex Systems, and Extreme Events

Presentation: Cities are complex urban systems (8-10 min)

  • Download PDF

Use the Powerpoint slides provided to discuss how cities have evolved globally to become complex urban systems.

Discussion: Use the following questions to discuss the presentation and key ideas explored.

  • How have cities evolved over time spatially, socially, ecologically, or technologically?

  • Why and how are they more complex?

  • What are some of the major socially, ecologically, or technological challenges facing urban communities?

Watch: Now introduce Ekos. Watch the Introduction to Ekos video, and review and discuss the actor cards and actor missions.

Warm Up Activity: Building Systems (5-6 min)

  • To warm up, ask participants to practice building systems. Pass out resource chips, show the systems key on the screen, and point it out on the game board. Next, ask each person to use the key to create one (1) social, (1) ecological, and (1) technological system. 

  • Next, ask participants to work in pairs to create systems that are connected. Create (1) linked social and technological system, and (1) linked technological and ecological system. This can be done without the game board, with resource chips arranged into systems on a table or desk.

Presentation: Extreme weather and urban challenges (8-10 min)

  • Download PDF

Use the Powerpoint slides provided to discuss how cities are increasingly affected by extreme weather, climate change, and other urban challenges. Highlight how this impacts communities differently.

Follow Up Questions:

  • What kinds of extreme weather or other challenges does your community experience?

  • Who is impacted most by these events and why?

  • How can a consideration of social vulnerability improve resiliency?

Activity: Responding to Event Cards (5 min)

  • Invite participants to look closely at the Event Cards. Point out the symbols at the top of the card which represent different categories - eg. damaging, beneficial or challenge event cards.

  • Ask participants to work in pairs and to review the 3 different types of event cards, and discuss how they would respond.

Reflection  (5-8 min)

Ask participants to reflect in pairs, or small groups for ~5 min. Ask 1 or 2 groups to share any key ideas or reflections.

Evaluation

Refer to Objective 1 in the evaluation rubric to assess understanding.

Part 2: Adaptation, Resilience and Sustainability

Presentation: Resilience Theory - urban resilience to what and for whom? (8-10 min)

  • Download PDF

Use the Powerpoint slides provided to discuss historic and recent advances in resilience theory, and point out the key differences between sustainability and resiliency.

  • Introduce the social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) framework. 

  • Discuss the idea of adaptation, and how it differs from mitigation

Discussion: Use the following questions to discuss the presentation and key ideas explored.

  • What is the difference between sustainability and resilience?

  • How would you describe the concept and theory of resiliency to a close friend, and in the context of urban areas?

  • How can we measure sustainability or resiliency? And who should be prioritized when implementing interventions to improve sustainability or resiliency

  • How can the SETS framework be used to understand a challenge in your community?

Presentation: Nature-based solutions and urban adaptation (8-10 min)

  • Download PDF

Use the examples provided in the presentation to introduce the concept of green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions.

  • Further discuss the concept of urban climate adaptation, and distinguish from climate mitigation strategies 

Discussion: Use the following questions to discuss the presentation and key ideas explored.

  • What are some examples of green infrastructure or nature-based solutions you have observed in your daily life?

  • How resilient do you feel these strategies are and why?

Activity: Adaptations (5-6 min)

  • Ask participants to review the adaptation cards. Adaptations protect your systems from the effects of some Events and also earn you points. Explain that the Adaptive Capacity of systems (look at your system cards) is required in order to obtain Adaptations. 

  • Working in small groups or pairs, invite participants to select 1 damaging event to review. 

  • Next, ask participants to consider how the use of an adaptation could protect a system from an Event card.

Reflection  (5-8 min)

Ask participants to reflect in pairs, or small groups for ~5 min. Ask 1 or 2 groups to share any key ideas or reflections.

Evaluation

Refer to Objective 2, 3 and 4 in the evaluation rubric to assess understanding.

Part 3:  Coproduction, Equity and Governance

Presentation: Coproduction, Equity and Governance (8-10 min)

  • Download PDF

Use the Powerpoint slides provided to introduce or reinforce the concept of equity in urban governance and planning. Distinguish between equity (everyone gets a proportionate fair share) and equality (everyone gets an equal share).

  • Use the slides provided to explore the common ways that decisions are made within cities, and how communities are involved or excluded from decision making processes. Introduce the concept of co-production and inclusive planning.

  • Discuss the concepts of procedural and distributive justice, and reinforce with relevant examples.

Discussion: Use the following questions to discuss the presentation and key ideas explored.

  • What is the difference between equality and equity?

  • What are some of the equity and justice challenges related to governance and policy?

  • What is coproduction and inclusive planning? How can it be implemented effectively and what are the challenges?

  • How are decisions made at the local level in your community? What platforms for participation or inclusion exist, or are missing?

Activity: To Cooperate or Not? (5-6 min)

  • Review the actor cards, and ask each person in the group to choose an actor to be for this activity.

  • Next, instruct each team to choose a “challenge” event card that prompts an Ekos player to work cooperatively with another team member.

  • Walk through the scenario together by playing a round of the game. 

  • First each player should collect resources chips and then place one system on the board. Next, the City Council Speaker chooses one player to begin the round. 

  • Roll the dice and respond to the challenge card.

  • Observe what happens and reflect as a group. Repeat if time allows.

Reflection (5-8 min)

Ask participants to reflect in pairs, or small groups for ~5 min. Ask 1 or 2 groups to share any key ideas or reflections.

Evaluation

Refer to Objective 5 in the evaluation rubric to assess understanding.

Part 4:  Play Ekos!

Presentation: Playing the game of Ekos (8-10 min)

  • Use the presentation provided as well as videos to review the process of playing Ekos. 

  • Begin by reminding participants the objective of the game, game contents, and setup.

  • Next, watch the How to Setup Ekos video to ensure the game board and pieces are correctly organized.

  • Watch the “How to Play Ekos” video.

  • Next, walk participants through a round of the game asking each team to follow along on their boards. 

  • Discuss any remaining questions.

Activity: Play Ekos (45 - 60 min)

  • Give each team 45 - 60 minutes to play the game of Ekos. Play until at least 1 player wins 15 points, or until the time runs out.

  • Walk around to each table and ensure the correct game pieces are being used and to answer any additional questions.

  • Set a timer and ask each team to play!

Note: If a team finishes early, ask them to begin reflecting on their experience. Or invite them to begin playing another round with different Actor cards.

Part 5:  Reflection and Evaluation

Reflect: (15 min)

  • What happened during the game?

  • What did you notice, and what surprised you?

  • What are some key takeaways that you can apply to your own community or region?

  • How has your understanding of resilience, equity or sustainability changed?

  • What would you do differently next time?

Post-Play: Playing Ekos at Home

  • If time allows, we highly encourage participants to play Ekos again at home or another setting. Encourage participants to choose a different Actor card to ensure variety and depth. 

  • If teaching this in a classroom setting, develop an assignment that challenges students to play the game in small groups and reflect on their experiences. Personalize the game by referencing local urban challenges your community is facing.

Suggested Reading

Klinenberg, E. (2013) Adaptation: How Can Cities be Climate-proofed? The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/01/07/adaptation-eric-klinenberg

Folke, C. 2016. Resilience (Republished). Ecology and Society 21(4):44. https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/iss4/art44/

Slater, T. (2014) The Resilience of Neoliberal Urbanism. Open Democracy.  https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opensecurity/resilience-of-neoliberal-urbanism/

Daniels, S.E. and G.B. Walker. 2001. Systems Thinking. Working Through Environmental Conflict: The Collaborative Learning Approach. Praeger Publishers.

Hosseini, S., Barker, K., & Ramirez-Marquez, J. E. (2016). A review of definitions and measures of system resilience. Reliability Engineering & System Safety

McPhearson, Timon, Erik Andersson, Thomas Elmqvist, and Niki Frantzeskaki. 2015. “Resilience Of and Through Urban Ecosystem Services,“ Ecosystem Services(Special Issue) 12:152-156,DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.07.012

Meadows, D. H. 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Read Part One: Systems Structure and Behavior.

Acknowledgments 

Ekos: The Path to Resilience was developed by the Urban Systems Lab, an interdisciplinary research, design and practice space founded by Timon McPhearson that provides insight into developing more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities. 

Game concept developed by Ryann Abunuwara, Claudia Tomateo, and Chris Kennedy. Graphic design by Claudia Tomateo. Content for the game informed by the Urban Resilience to Extreme-related Weather Events Sustainability Research Network (URExSRN) and the Converging Social, Ecological, and Technological Infrastructure Systems (SETS) for Urban Resilience project with support provided by the National Science Foundation (Grants No. 1934933 and 1444755)

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