Towards an integrated approach of playground planning

Towards an integrated approach of planning playgrounds Qualities & Guidelines

Francis Vaningelgem Childhood & Society Research Center Brussels – Belgium www.k-s.be

http://www.k-s.be/

http://www.k-s.be/

http://www.k-s.be/

Childhood & Society Research Center

Research on the perspectives & experiences of children - Time experience of

children - Traffic casualties - Care - Truancy - ….

Public space, playgrounds, Childfriendly urban planning,

- Consultation and participation processes

- Studies on -play, playgrounds,

-public space for children. -urban planning

- Policy & plans for public space


We have a small (or big) terrain left / what can we do with it?


We need “guidelines ” for our playgrounds & public space (Brussels)


An new park outside Gent / We want to let children participate in…?


lack of play opportunities in a neighbourhood


Confronted with the demand for standards:

-How many square meters play area should be provided for children in a city or a town? -How many equipment do we need? -How many playgrounds for each age group?

-Measuring/monitoring/follow-up -Do we have enough…..,

Must we admit to these trends?

Towards an integrated approach of planning playgrounds

Our philosophy : • The answer to such questions is seldom absolute.

• Standards are only the starting point for discussions.

• To open a more nuanced thinking about play and the meaning of a space.

• Children and qualitative public space are still the central

elements.


Qualities & Guidelines for qualitative playground planning



Qualities & Guidelines


Think in terms of “networks” • Formal play areas • Informal play areas • Connections


Think in terms of “networks” • Formal play areas • Informal play areas • Connections

Make a playnetwork [plan] 1.Existing condition 2.Problems & opportunities 3.Desired state & actions


Integrate the perspective of children Step 1: Use/experience/Evaluation/Perspective/perception Step 2: Needs & wishes

! Interaction between Participation & design process

! Presence of politicians, designers, policy makers in participatory action


Work on A PROJECT With a “multidisciplinary team” youth sector urban planners sport district managers,… politicians,… Develop a “shared vision” on play and playgrounds


About how play space is spread over a territory. About the distance needed fot children and adults to reach a formal play area .


Work on a a customized system of different scales e.a: Street / Neighborhood / District / Municipal /urban /Regional Each scale has other characteristics for implantion equipment surface and perimeter,…. Give every playground a a desired scale level


Divide the territory in different areas Work with a well-considered division of the territory + bring barriers in place - speedregime - road categorization - subjective safety (eye level of children!) - other barriers (train, industry,…) + some cities divide the territory in administrative areas + perception of children


Work with the reach of each playground

Search for gabs in the offer/supply

Make a play network map and search for the structural problems

And/or


The way in which a playground is embedded in its environment


Cheklist for a better implantation


An example [berlin] The play area is adjacent to existing slow road traffic.


An example [berlin] Entrance is visually open way connected to Slow road traffic.


An example [berlin] There is a good possibility of social control.


An example [berlin] Proximity to habitation: fronts, rather than backs.


An example [berlin] Buffering to surrounding habitation.


An example [Delft] The site is adjacent to public facilities.


Perception of children - Use a “Perception map”



Develop a play landscape, not a field with toys


Make “A zoningplan” and discuss it with children, policymakers, residents - Good communication instrument, before choosing the equipment. -“Talk map / Discussion map”


Differentiate between types of playgrounds


The play area is completely sealed around. There is an entrance

the play area is partly closed

The play area has an open structure in different places

the play area is Integrated in landscape and provided with a natural buffer


Legislation on playground safety



- standards are only the starting point for discussions - to open a more nuanced thinking about play and the meaning of a space - children and qualitative public space are still the central elements

Francis Vaningelgem Childhood & Society Research Center Brussels – Belgium

www.k-s.be issuu.com/kindensamenleving

http://www.k-s.be/

http://www.k-s.be/

http://www.k-s.be/

http://issuu.com/kindensamenleving



Documents

Towards an integrated approach of playground planning