Michael Martin
@mic-martin.bsky.social
Lecturer & Programme Director of Urban Design & Planning, University of Sheffield working in #urbandesign #childfriendlycities #urbanplay 🇮🇪 co-author of ‘Applied Urban Design: A Contextually Responsive Approach’, Routledge Books https://amzn.eu/d/i4dPGoH
Pinned
Michael Martin
@mic-martin.bsky.social
· Jan 11
IT'S HERE! My first book!! And it's an absolute BEAUT!!! 📕♥️🥳🎉
#AppliedUrbanDesign w. Philip black BobPhillips & TakiSonbli published by Routledge Books
A feat almost 10 years in the making😅...
20% DISCOUNT available w. Promo Code AFLY03 routledge.com/Applied-Urban-…
Order now!!
#AppliedUrbanDesign w. Philip black BobPhillips & TakiSonbli published by Routledge Books
A feat almost 10 years in the making😅...
20% DISCOUNT available w. Promo Code AFLY03 routledge.com/Applied-Urban-…
Order now!!
Reposted by Michael Martin
In the @uk.theconversation.com, I rehearse - in briefer form - my arguments _for_ play in grey space, arguing that it affords opportunities for play, connection and care that green space often can’t, and that it’s politically important to value play in these spaces.
Children should have a right to play in the streets, alleys, pavements and car parks of their neighbourhoods
Play isn’t just for playgrounds.
theconversation.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
In the @uk.theconversation.com, I rehearse - in briefer form - my arguments _for_ play in grey space, arguing that it affords opportunities for play, connection and care that green space often can’t, and that it’s politically important to value play in these spaces.
Reposted by Michael Martin
This is appalling. It seems the parish council made a mistake, and some adults complained. And it's children and young people who lose out, with plans for a new play space pushed into next year at least.
It's the sound of children playing, FFS.
It's the sound of children playing, FFS.
A play facility that was paid for by community fundraising has been demolished because residents complained about the noise.
They should be ashamed of themselves
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
They should be ashamed of themselves
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Council demolishes play area after noise complaints - BBC News
Parents in a Derbyshire town say their children are 'devastated' they have lost the facility.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
This is appalling. It seems the parish council made a mistake, and some adults complained. And it's children and young people who lose out, with plans for a new play space pushed into next year at least.
It's the sound of children playing, FFS.
It's the sound of children playing, FFS.
Reposted by Michael Martin
This summer, 40 Stockholm streets have gone car-free.
Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.”
Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...
Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.”
Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...
September 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This summer, 40 Stockholm streets have gone car-free.
Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.”
Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...
Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.”
Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Skate park, bike parking, bus station, Saturday evening in Hiroshima #japan #urbanlandscape
September 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Skate park, bike parking, bus station, Saturday evening in Hiroshima #japan #urbanlandscape
Reposted by Michael Martin
“Compared to their parents’ generation, the amount of time today’s children play outside has declined by 50%. But this downward trend doesn’t have to be inevitable. Thoughtful planning, which listens to the voices of children and young people, can produce… environments where children can develop”
UK children face barriers to outdoor play due to poor planning, says study
‘Fragmented’ policies leading councils to prioritise approval of housebuilding over parks, researchers find
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
“Compared to their parents’ generation, the amount of time today’s children play outside has declined by 50%. But this downward trend doesn’t have to be inevitable. Thoughtful planning, which listens to the voices of children and young people, can produce… environments where children can develop”
😎 I was very chuffed to be interviewed by @lauriewinkless.bsky.social for her @forbes.com feature
‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’
#HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’
#HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
www.forbes.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
😎 I was very chuffed to be interviewed by @lauriewinkless.bsky.social for her @forbes.com feature
‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’
#HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’
#HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Martin
My latest article for @forbes.com is all about the importance of incorporating play in cities (spoiler alert: playgrounds aren't enough!) 👩🔬⚛️🧪 www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
UK-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
www.forbes.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:46 PM
My latest article for @forbes.com is all about the importance of incorporating play in cities (spoiler alert: playgrounds aren't enough!) 👩🔬⚛️🧪 www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Resharing my latest @forbes.com article - it's about play in cities, and how we're not doing enough to meet the needs of children. It features interviews with two experts in outdoor play from @sheffielduni.bsky.social ⚛️👩🔬🧪
www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
www.forbes.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Resharing my latest @forbes.com article - it's about play in cities, and how we're not doing enough to meet the needs of children. It features interviews with two experts in outdoor play from @sheffielduni.bsky.social ⚛️👩🔬🧪
www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
September 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
Reposted by Michael Martin
Fabulous to see the launch of the APPG on Play @appgonplay.bsky.social - very hopeful that play will start be taken as seriously as it demands, with the hope of a new national play strategy and play sufficiency legislation.
Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
September 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Fabulous to see the launch of the APPG on Play @appgonplay.bsky.social - very hopeful that play will start be taken as seriously as it demands, with the hope of a new national play strategy and play sufficiency legislation.
Reposted by Michael Martin
“Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.” @playingout.bsky.social #playstreets are a great way to make this happen.
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
tcnv.link
July 16, 2025 at 7:12 AM
“Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.” @playingout.bsky.social #playstreets are a great way to make this happen.
Reposted by Michael Martin
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
tcnv.link
July 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
‘How to give children the freedom to #play across the city - not just in playgrounds’
My article in @uk.theconversation.com
#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen
theconversation.com/how-to-give-...
My article in @uk.theconversation.com
#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen
theconversation.com/how-to-give-...
How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
theconversation.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
‘How to give children the freedom to #play across the city - not just in playgrounds’
My article in @uk.theconversation.com
#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen
theconversation.com/how-to-give-...
My article in @uk.theconversation.com
#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen
theconversation.com/how-to-give-...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Children have as much right to their streets as drivers. There is no legal basis for them being shoed off streets. And I have no doubt that cars - moving and parked - cause a nuisance for children.
This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council.
@playingout.bsky.social
This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council.
@playingout.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Children have as much right to their streets as drivers. There is no legal basis for them being shoed off streets. And I have no doubt that cars - moving and parked - cause a nuisance for children.
This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council.
@playingout.bsky.social
This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council.
@playingout.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Martin
Great work from Active Travel England pulling together these pledges from all (but one) of the regional mayors. The focus on routes to school (which are generally locally extensive and dense) is a good way of building popular support, and putting children first.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Twelve of England’s regional mayors back plan to create ‘national active travel network’
Exclusive: Unprecedented move to focus initially on helping children to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely
www.theguardian.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Great work from Active Travel England pulling together these pledges from all (but one) of the regional mayors. The focus on routes to school (which are generally locally extensive and dense) is a good way of building popular support, and putting children first.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Relatedly, if you’re on your way to Active City York today, or just enjoying a morning coffee, you can read about another failed attempt at creating safer streets for children - 50 years ago - in my article for Highways Magazine.
July 2, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Relatedly, if you’re on your way to Active City York today, or just enjoying a morning coffee, you can read about another failed attempt at creating safer streets for children - 50 years ago - in my article for Highways Magazine.
New research on #Play & #ChildrensRightToTheCity published in #JournalofUrbanDesign
Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK
It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay
doi.org/10.1080/1357...
Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK
It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay
doi.org/10.1080/1357...
June 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
New research on #Play & #ChildrensRightToTheCity published in #JournalofUrbanDesign
Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK
It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay
doi.org/10.1080/1357...
Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK
It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay
doi.org/10.1080/1357...
Reposted by Michael Martin
“With the exception of London, deprived settlements in England tend to have fewer, smaller and further-away playgrounds – a serious social justice issue.”
Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.
Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.
Our article in @uk.theconversation.com reveals substantial #play inequalities across #England
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
theconversation.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:21 AM
“With the exception of London, deprived settlements in England tend to have fewer, smaller and further-away playgrounds – a serious social justice issue.”
Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.
Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.
Our article in @uk.theconversation.com reveals substantial #play inequalities across #England
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
theconversation.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Our article in @uk.theconversation.com reveals substantial #play inequalities across #England
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them
Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!
theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
Reposted by Michael Martin
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
tcnv.link
June 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
Reposted by Michael Martin
Play England's new strategy recognises all the ways children play & that it's not them that need fixing but the systems round them. bit.ly/43AoFlFC
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
106415 Play England - Strategy Document FINAL
bit.ly
May 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Play England's new strategy recognises all the ways children play & that it's not them that need fixing but the systems round them. bit.ly/43AoFlFC
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Martin
Shanghai's rapid and dramatic transformation from industrial hub to modern metropolis is best embodied by the East Bank of the Huangpu River. At the heart of the waterfront’s revitalization is a 21-kilometre linear park, with continuous—and sometimes elevated—space for walking, jogging and cycling.🧵
April 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Shanghai's rapid and dramatic transformation from industrial hub to modern metropolis is best embodied by the East Bank of the Huangpu River. At the heart of the waterfront’s revitalization is a 21-kilometre linear park, with continuous—and sometimes elevated—space for walking, jogging and cycling.🧵
Happening today! Looking forward to our Urbanism Hour for @academyofurbanism.bsky.social this afternoon @13.00
‘Shaping Urban Design as a Technical Vocation’
Details below…
‘Shaping Urban Design as a Technical Vocation’
Details below…
Tomorrow's Urbanism Hour, the last of the spring season, will look at the the 'why', 'who' and 'how' of urban design as a technical discipline with speakers Dr Philip Black and dR Michael Martin.
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
April 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Happening today! Looking forward to our Urbanism Hour for @academyofurbanism.bsky.social this afternoon @13.00
‘Shaping Urban Design as a Technical Vocation’
Details below…
‘Shaping Urban Design as a Technical Vocation’
Details below…
Reposted by Michael Martin
Tomorrow's Urbanism Hour, the last of the spring season, will look at the the 'why', 'who' and 'how' of urban design as a technical discipline with speakers Dr Philip Black and dR Michael Martin.
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
April 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Tomorrow's Urbanism Hour, the last of the spring season, will look at the the 'why', 'who' and 'how' of urban design as a technical discipline with speakers Dr Philip Black and dR Michael Martin.
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
Reposted by Michael Martin
"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...