Arbre Cité: A game to promote reflection on urban nature

Urban areas are increasingly exposed to climatic and anthropogenic hazards, such as floods, heatwaves, droughts, and pollution. Urban nature is widely promoted to address these challenges, yet their implementation often raises debates and conflicts regarding forms, locations, and risks. We present Arbre Cité , a serious board game designed to foster awareness and reflection on urban nature. The game enables players to plan green spaces within their own neighborhoods, using OpenStreetMap data, while considering objectives, hazards, and trade-offs. It was tested through 21 sessions with more than 70 players this year, using pre- and post-questionnaires. The game revealed significant evolution in players' perceptions: from aesthetic views of urban nature to systemic and ecological understandings, including risks and co-benefits. Results indicate that Arbre Cité may contribute to awareness-raising and offer an engaging approach to urban planning education. While results are limited by the sample composition, the replayability and adaptability of the game highlight its potential as a widely accessible support for nature integration in cities. • We present Arbre Cité, a new serious board game about urban nature management. • The game enables players to plan green spaces within their own neighborhoods. • It was tested with more than 70 players, using pre- and post-questionnaires. • Results indicate that it effectively supports awareness-raising on urban nature. • In addition, it provides an engaging tool for urban planning education.