A Playful City
@aplayfulcity.bsky.social
"Too often when we think about play in a planning context, we default to thinking about structured activity and providing spaces that are designated and equipped.
- Gemma Hyde, Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
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- Gemma Hyde, Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
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June 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
"Too often when we think about play in a planning context, we default to thinking about structured activity and providing spaces that are designated and equipped.
- Gemma Hyde, Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
1 of 2
- Gemma Hyde, Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
1 of 2
🎉A DAY FOR PLAY! 🎉 Wishing our 362 communities running Playful Streets across the globe 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🌍 a very ✨Happy International Day of Play✨
Thanks to ChangeX & The LEGO Foundation for their incredible support
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 are now in
‣ 9 countries 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🇻🇳
‣ 362 communities
‣ 5 languages 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇻🇳🇪🇸🇩🇰
Thanks to ChangeX & The LEGO Foundation for their incredible support
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 are now in
‣ 9 countries 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🇻🇳
‣ 362 communities
‣ 5 languages 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇻🇳🇪🇸🇩🇰
June 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
🎉A DAY FOR PLAY! 🎉 Wishing our 362 communities running Playful Streets across the globe 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🌍 a very ✨Happy International Day of Play✨
Thanks to ChangeX & The LEGO Foundation for their incredible support
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 are now in
‣ 9 countries 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🇻🇳
‣ 362 communities
‣ 5 languages 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇻🇳🇪🇸🇩🇰
Thanks to ChangeX & The LEGO Foundation for their incredible support
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 are now in
‣ 9 countries 🇮🇪🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🇿🇦🇵🇰🇲🇽🇩🇰🇻🇳
‣ 362 communities
‣ 5 languages 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇻🇳🇪🇸🇩🇰
𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 to add even joy and playfulness, encouraging children to return to the streets and laneways!
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 to add even joy and playfulness, encouraging children to return to the streets and laneways!
𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 with armrests and backrests to offer comfort for elderly users and all community members.
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 with armrests and backrests to offer comfort for elderly users and all community members.
𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 manage surface water runoff, enhancing sustainability and greenery.
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 manage surface water runoff, enhancing sustainability and greenery.
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 such as climbing frames, stepping stones through planting areas and ground-based games to encourage street play.
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 such as climbing frames, stepping stones through planting areas and ground-based games to encourage street play.
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 created by narrowing road widths, reducing them from 6 meters to 3.5 metres to prioritise pedestrian and active mobility.
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 created by narrowing road widths, reducing them from 6 meters to 3.5 metres to prioritise pedestrian and active mobility.
𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 on the Sallynoggin Road that create a welcoming entrance and define the space.
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 on the Sallynoggin Road that create a welcoming entrance and define the space.
✨Befores → Afters✨ of The Gaps, Sallynoggin, May 2025.
"What makes this project truly unique is that it is entirely community led."
- Frank Curran, Chief Executive, DRLCC
In partnership with @dlrcc.bsky.social @aplayfulcity.bsky.social & the National Transport Authority
"What makes this project truly unique is that it is entirely community led."
- Frank Curran, Chief Executive, DRLCC
In partnership with @dlrcc.bsky.social @aplayfulcity.bsky.social & the National Transport Authority
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
✨Befores → Afters✨ of The Gaps, Sallynoggin, May 2025.
"What makes this project truly unique is that it is entirely community led."
- Frank Curran, Chief Executive, DRLCC
In partnership with @dlrcc.bsky.social @aplayfulcity.bsky.social & the National Transport Authority
"What makes this project truly unique is that it is entirely community led."
- Frank Curran, Chief Executive, DRLCC
In partnership with @dlrcc.bsky.social @aplayfulcity.bsky.social & the National Transport Authority
The OECD "Cities for All Ages" report provides a structured & evidence-based approach for governments to cultivate urban environments that are inclusive & supportive for residents of all ages.
The full report:
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
The full report:
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
April 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The OECD "Cities for All Ages" report provides a structured & evidence-based approach for governments to cultivate urban environments that are inclusive & supportive for residents of all ages.
The full report:
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
The full report:
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
"Design Justice begins with a simple premise:
the built environment is never neutral. Cities are designed, & design is power.
Who gets to shape a city? Who benefits from its architecture, its transport, its housing? Who is displaced, erased, pushed to the margins?"
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
the built environment is never neutral. Cities are designed, & design is power.
Who gets to shape a city? Who benefits from its architecture, its transport, its housing? Who is displaced, erased, pushed to the margins?"
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
April 15, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"Design Justice begins with a simple premise:
the built environment is never neutral. Cities are designed, & design is power.
Who gets to shape a city? Who benefits from its architecture, its transport, its housing? Who is displaced, erased, pushed to the margins?"
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
the built environment is never neutral. Cities are designed, & design is power.
Who gets to shape a city? Who benefits from its architecture, its transport, its housing? Who is displaced, erased, pushed to the margins?"
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
"The objective is therefore not to create specific facilities for children, but to consider the place of young people in order to improve public spaces for the benefit of all."
theconversation.com/pourquoi-les...
theconversation.com/pourquoi-les...
April 6, 2025 at 7:56 AM
"The objective is therefore not to create specific facilities for children, but to consider the place of young people in order to improve public spaces for the benefit of all."
theconversation.com/pourquoi-les...
theconversation.com/pourquoi-les...
🚀👏 A collaborative project between #NationalTransportAuthority, #dlrCC & @aplayfulcity.bsky.social bringing local community in Sallynoggin together to reimagine an underutilised laneway as a beautiful and meaningful space for all those who live, work & play there.
www.dlrcoco.ie/news/general...
www.dlrcoco.ie/news/general...
April 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
🚀👏 A collaborative project between #NationalTransportAuthority, #dlrCC & @aplayfulcity.bsky.social bringing local community in Sallynoggin together to reimagine an underutilised laneway as a beautiful and meaningful space for all those who live, work & play there.
www.dlrcoco.ie/news/general...
www.dlrcoco.ie/news/general...
Situations like these are among the key reasons why A Playful City was founded!
R.Kikuo Johnson’s "Upstairs, Downstairs" cover for The New Yorker captures a reality that too many parents and caregivers face: cities are not always designed with young children—or those pushing strollers—in mind.
R.Kikuo Johnson’s "Upstairs, Downstairs" cover for The New Yorker captures a reality that too many parents and caregivers face: cities are not always designed with young children—or those pushing strollers—in mind.
March 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Situations like these are among the key reasons why A Playful City was founded!
R.Kikuo Johnson’s "Upstairs, Downstairs" cover for The New Yorker captures a reality that too many parents and caregivers face: cities are not always designed with young children—or those pushing strollers—in mind.
R.Kikuo Johnson’s "Upstairs, Downstairs" cover for The New Yorker captures a reality that too many parents and caregivers face: cities are not always designed with young children—or those pushing strollers—in mind.
What makes a street exciting, relaxing, or stressful to walk on?
A new study presents a systematic way to analyse how urban design shapes emotions.
✨ Lively streets excite 🎭
🌿 Green spaces relax 🍃
🏢 Monotony bores
🚗 Traffic stress 😨
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A new study presents a systematic way to analyse how urban design shapes emotions.
✨ Lively streets excite 🎭
🌿 Green spaces relax 🍃
🏢 Monotony bores
🚗 Traffic stress 😨
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
March 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
What makes a street exciting, relaxing, or stressful to walk on?
A new study presents a systematic way to analyse how urban design shapes emotions.
✨ Lively streets excite 🎭
🌿 Green spaces relax 🍃
🏢 Monotony bores
🚗 Traffic stress 😨
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A new study presents a systematic way to analyse how urban design shapes emotions.
✨ Lively streets excite 🎭
🌿 Green spaces relax 🍃
🏢 Monotony bores
🚗 Traffic stress 😨
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Children's independent mobility is not just a matter of individual choices, but a product of the environments we create.
Shift the focus from simply mitigating risks for children in dangerous environments to creating environments that are safe & supportive of children's independence.
Shift the focus from simply mitigating risks for children in dangerous environments to creating environments that are safe & supportive of children's independence.
February 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Children's independent mobility is not just a matter of individual choices, but a product of the environments we create.
Shift the focus from simply mitigating risks for children in dangerous environments to creating environments that are safe & supportive of children's independence.
Shift the focus from simply mitigating risks for children in dangerous environments to creating environments that are safe & supportive of children's independence.
Good street planning & design has a multitude of benefits including:
💨less energy use and fewer emissions
🤝 better community connections
❤️ better health outcomes
🌻 improved amenity
🤫 less noise
🙂improved transport affordability
🔄 reduced traffic congestion
🛍️ benefits to local businesses
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💨less energy use and fewer emissions
🤝 better community connections
❤️ better health outcomes
🌻 improved amenity
🤫 less noise
🙂improved transport affordability
🔄 reduced traffic congestion
🛍️ benefits to local businesses
1 of 2
February 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Good street planning & design has a multitude of benefits including:
💨less energy use and fewer emissions
🤝 better community connections
❤️ better health outcomes
🌻 improved amenity
🤫 less noise
🙂improved transport affordability
🔄 reduced traffic congestion
🛍️ benefits to local businesses
1 of 2
💨less energy use and fewer emissions
🤝 better community connections
❤️ better health outcomes
🌻 improved amenity
🤫 less noise
🙂improved transport affordability
🔄 reduced traffic congestion
🛍️ benefits to local businesses
1 of 2
"The social sustainability of an environment can be studied using two sets of indicators: the perceived quality of the living environment and the accessibility of everyday services."
-Marketta Kyttä
helda.helsinki.fi/items/0355d4...
-Marketta Kyttä
helda.helsinki.fi/items/0355d4...
February 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
"The social sustainability of an environment can be studied using two sets of indicators: the perceived quality of the living environment and the accessibility of everyday services."
-Marketta Kyttä
helda.helsinki.fi/items/0355d4...
-Marketta Kyttä
helda.helsinki.fi/items/0355d4...
Boissy-le-Chatel (77)
A skateable work of art 🛹
- Constructo Skatepark + Inout Concept (design) / MBL Architectes + bureau David Apheceix (architects) / Camille Fréchou (landscaper) / Vulcano Skatepark (construction) 2019
www.constructo.fr/boissy-le-ch...
A skateable work of art 🛹
- Constructo Skatepark + Inout Concept (design) / MBL Architectes + bureau David Apheceix (architects) / Camille Fréchou (landscaper) / Vulcano Skatepark (construction) 2019
www.constructo.fr/boissy-le-ch...
January 29, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Boissy-le-Chatel (77)
A skateable work of art 🛹
- Constructo Skatepark + Inout Concept (design) / MBL Architectes + bureau David Apheceix (architects) / Camille Fréchou (landscaper) / Vulcano Skatepark (construction) 2019
www.constructo.fr/boissy-le-ch...
A skateable work of art 🛹
- Constructo Skatepark + Inout Concept (design) / MBL Architectes + bureau David Apheceix (architects) / Camille Fréchou (landscaper) / Vulcano Skatepark (construction) 2019
www.constructo.fr/boissy-le-ch...
"Creating Health & Wellbeing"
A guide for local authorities linking between planning, design & public health.
Advocating a shift from treating illness to fostering health through evidence-led planning & design in cities, towns & villages by addressing health inequalities proactively.
🧵1 of 2
A guide for local authorities linking between planning, design & public health.
Advocating a shift from treating illness to fostering health through evidence-led planning & design in cities, towns & villages by addressing health inequalities proactively.
🧵1 of 2
January 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"Creating Health & Wellbeing"
A guide for local authorities linking between planning, design & public health.
Advocating a shift from treating illness to fostering health through evidence-led planning & design in cities, towns & villages by addressing health inequalities proactively.
🧵1 of 2
A guide for local authorities linking between planning, design & public health.
Advocating a shift from treating illness to fostering health through evidence-led planning & design in cities, towns & villages by addressing health inequalities proactively.
🧵1 of 2
🎉Another highlight of 2024: Reimagining Sheriff Street 🌈 Park!
This community-led project, with APC & HubSpot, shows the power of collaboration to create vibrant, inclusive spaces.
From workshops to playful prototypes, stakeholders shaped the vision.
Excited to see this transformation unfold! 🌳🏃♂️
This community-led project, with APC & HubSpot, shows the power of collaboration to create vibrant, inclusive spaces.
From workshops to playful prototypes, stakeholders shaped the vision.
Excited to see this transformation unfold! 🌳🏃♂️
December 27, 2024 at 1:29 PM
🎉Another highlight of 2024: Reimagining Sheriff Street 🌈 Park!
This community-led project, with APC & HubSpot, shows the power of collaboration to create vibrant, inclusive spaces.
From workshops to playful prototypes, stakeholders shaped the vision.
Excited to see this transformation unfold! 🌳🏃♂️
This community-led project, with APC & HubSpot, shows the power of collaboration to create vibrant, inclusive spaces.
From workshops to playful prototypes, stakeholders shaped the vision.
Excited to see this transformation unfold! 🌳🏃♂️
🚸This year's APC highlight countdown 4 of 10🎉
Empowering young voices: Over 500 children shaped a Sustainable School Route Design Guide for Portlaoise!
7/10 DRIVEN to school want to WALK or CYCLE.
With playful design & green spaces the Southern Circular Road will be a safer, fun route to school!
Empowering young voices: Over 500 children shaped a Sustainable School Route Design Guide for Portlaoise!
7/10 DRIVEN to school want to WALK or CYCLE.
With playful design & green spaces the Southern Circular Road will be a safer, fun route to school!
December 21, 2024 at 9:59 AM
🚸This year's APC highlight countdown 4 of 10🎉
Empowering young voices: Over 500 children shaped a Sustainable School Route Design Guide for Portlaoise!
7/10 DRIVEN to school want to WALK or CYCLE.
With playful design & green spaces the Southern Circular Road will be a safer, fun route to school!
Empowering young voices: Over 500 children shaped a Sustainable School Route Design Guide for Portlaoise!
7/10 DRIVEN to school want to WALK or CYCLE.
With playful design & green spaces the Southern Circular Road will be a safer, fun route to school!
Designing for the 35%
Dinah Bornat on designing child-friendly neighbourhoods...
Why does it matter?
"There is a fundamental link between the amount of time & space a child has to play freely & their happiness, health & wellbeing."
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
Dinah Bornat on designing child-friendly neighbourhoods...
Why does it matter?
"There is a fundamental link between the amount of time & space a child has to play freely & their happiness, health & wellbeing."
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
December 20, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Designing for the 35%
Dinah Bornat on designing child-friendly neighbourhoods...
Why does it matter?
"There is a fundamental link between the amount of time & space a child has to play freely & their happiness, health & wellbeing."
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
Dinah Bornat on designing child-friendly neighbourhoods...
Why does it matter?
"There is a fundamental link between the amount of time & space a child has to play freely & their happiness, health & wellbeing."
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
This year's APC highlight countdown 2 of 10 🎉
Love Our Laneways, a unique pilot project by APC in partnership with DLRCC, broke ground this year 2025.
This initiative is built on the shared belief that bottom-up decision-making fosters sustainable, attractive & inclusive community spaces.
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Love Our Laneways, a unique pilot project by APC in partnership with DLRCC, broke ground this year 2025.
This initiative is built on the shared belief that bottom-up decision-making fosters sustainable, attractive & inclusive community spaces.
1of2
December 19, 2024 at 9:48 AM
This year's APC highlight countdown 2 of 10 🎉
Love Our Laneways, a unique pilot project by APC in partnership with DLRCC, broke ground this year 2025.
This initiative is built on the shared belief that bottom-up decision-making fosters sustainable, attractive & inclusive community spaces.
1of2
Love Our Laneways, a unique pilot project by APC in partnership with DLRCC, broke ground this year 2025.
This initiative is built on the shared belief that bottom-up decision-making fosters sustainable, attractive & inclusive community spaces.
1of2
This year's APC highlight countdown 1 of 10 🎉
Rockfield Park Report for @dubcitycouncil.bsky.social
How to design Dublin's small parks as play spaces!
Our community-led designed "Play Pockets" concept integrates play throughout parks & highlights the benefits of reimagining play spaces.
Rockfield Park Report for @dubcitycouncil.bsky.social
How to design Dublin's small parks as play spaces!
Our community-led designed "Play Pockets" concept integrates play throughout parks & highlights the benefits of reimagining play spaces.
December 18, 2024 at 4:47 PM
This year's APC highlight countdown 1 of 10 🎉
Rockfield Park Report for @dubcitycouncil.bsky.social
How to design Dublin's small parks as play spaces!
Our community-led designed "Play Pockets" concept integrates play throughout parks & highlights the benefits of reimagining play spaces.
Rockfield Park Report for @dubcitycouncil.bsky.social
How to design Dublin's small parks as play spaces!
Our community-led designed "Play Pockets" concept integrates play throughout parks & highlights the benefits of reimagining play spaces.