Purpose This article investigates design methods in architectural and urban design, emphasizing the emerging role of gamification as a transformative educational tool. The study positions gamification within a broader classification of design methodologies – spanning traditional, computational, participatory and immersive methods – while critically examining its potential to advance human-centered and equitable designs in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This aims to establish a taxonomy for integrating gamification as a design method to reshape design pedagogy and to evolve architecture and urban tools toward interactive, stimulating education. Design/methodology/approach The research begins with a literature review to map existing design methods and identify gaps regarding integrating gamification. This is complemented by a comparative analysis of global case studies where gamified approaches have been applied in architectural and urban design education. The developed taxonomy synthesizes cognitive, technological and participatory dimensions, framing gamification not only as a pedagogical strategy but also as a socio-economic catalyst for inclusive designs. Findings The study reveals that gamified methods enhance engagement, collaborative problem-solving, stimulation and design participation, enabling students to address complex socio-spatial issues such as housing equity, public space accessibility, circular design and climate resilience. Findings show potentials of gamification in achieving human-centered equitable designs, socio-economic impacts, changes in design thinking and competencies. The discussion highlights the implications for curriculum reform, suggesting that integrating gamification into design education can better equip future architects to operate in multi-stakeholder, SDG-driven contexts. Originality/value This article defines existing game mechanics in gamified design methods to advise future developers of gamified educational tools. It further depicts the relation between the potentials of gamified design methods and their alignment with SDGs. By contributing a refined taxonomy of design methods, this article offers theoretical advancement and practical guidance for embedding gamification in architectural pedagogy, ultimately bridging design innovation with equitable futures.
Menatalla Mohamed Abdellatif Ramadan (Wed,) studied this question.