Historical Recreation: Little Manila

Objective:

To digitally reconstruct and interpret the historical significance of Stockton's Little Manila neighborhood, thereby preserving its cultural importance and fostering greater understanding of Filipino-American history and the impact of urban planning decisions.

Hardware
Windows PC and Meta Devices

Software & Skills

Unreal Engine - Blueprints
Scene Design

Client
Little Manila Rising Foundation

My Roles

Lead software developer
UI/UX designer
Researcher

Process:

Our interdisciplinary team worked in a collaborative setting, conducting exhaustive historical research, conducting interviews with the Filipino American National Historical Society, and leveraging technology stacks, including Unreal Engine for VR development. The project was made possible through a Humanities for All Project Grant from California Humanities.

Virtual Filipino sitting at a dinner booth.

A historical reconstruction of a migrant worker living quarters with informational clickable areas.

Top down overview of the virtual town of Little Manila which maps correctly to the historical layout of Little Manila.

Recent picture of what remains of Little Manila today.

Informational widget displayed to user to learn more about Little Manila and historical figures.

Historical Reconstruction

Highlights & Milestones:

Working on this project was personally and professionally fulfilling. The team's multidisciplinary character enhanced development, and researching with specialists from other domains was extremely enriching. Community engagement stood out most. Working directly with the community, including their voices in the project, and seeing their reactions—especially when they put on the VR headset—was the pinnacle of my experience.

Outcome:

Our virtual reality museum exhibit not only brought the lost Little Manila neighborhood back to life but also served as an educational platform. It enhanced public understanding of Filipino-American history and shed light on how city planning decisions can impact minority communities. The project also built collaborative relationships with educational and historical organizations.

Future Improvements:

Plans are in place to expand the exhibit's educational impact by incorporating additional assessment tools and more varied scenarios to the virtual space. This will allow for a broader understanding of the many facets that contribute to community cohesion and disintegration.

Climate Change Simulation