Last week I was tipped off about an intriguing job opportunity: a street play research officer. Which global city, you may wonder, is showing such a strong interest in this topic? Mumbai, perhaps? Nope. Rio de Janeiro? Wrong again. The answer is New York City. It’s just one sign that street play, often consigned to the black-and-white memories of baby-boomers, is enjoying something of a renaissance.
Posted in Outdoor play, Public policy, Urbanism
Tagged car dependence, child-friendly cities, neighbourhood, outdoor play, playing out, road closure, streets, transport, urban design, urbanism
The Mayor of London has today released draft revised planning guidance for outdoor play, entitled Shaping Neighbourhoods: Children and Young People’s Play and Informal Recreation. The document shows that London’s decision-makers continue to take seriously the play needs of the capital’s children and young people.
Posted in Outdoor play, Play spaces, playground, Public policy, Public space, Urban planning, Urbanism
Tagged child-friendly cities, planning policy, playground, public space, urbanism
A brief post, to flag up a wonderful opportunity to get under the skin of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, written in 1961 by Jane Jacobs.
City Builder Book Club » Mary Rowe on the Introduction: Why you will read and reread this book.
How do you measure the child-friendliness of a neighbourhood? Here’s one test. Would you, as a parent of an 8-year-old child living in that neighbourhood, let your child make their own way to a shop and buy a popsicle (or any variety of ice-cream) – and could your child get the frozen treat back home before it melted?
Coming through Stratford City shopping centre around 9 pm last night, I saw a small group of skaters – boards, roller and in-line – exploiting the smooth floors for their tricks and weaves.
Posted in Public space, Urbanism
Tagged London, Olympics, OPLC, public space, skateboarding, skating, urban design, video, young people
I’m en route to Australia, where I’ll be giving talks to childcare agencies and children’s rights bodies, working with public health officials, and networking with child-friendly city projects. And I’m looking to you, my readers, for your ideas about how to make the trip more worthwhile. Continue reading
Posted in Mobility, Outdoor play, Public policy, Risk, Urbanism
Tagged Australia, child-friendly cities, nature, outdoor play, planning policy, Risk, urban design
Rethinking Childhood 