Tag Archives: child-friendly cities

Roll up, roll up! London is Open for Play next week!

Posted on September 12, 2012 | 7 comments

Glamis adventure playgroundMy plan to showcase some of London’s most playful places has been in the pipeline for a while. And now it’s around the corner. For all the latest info, follow this link to the mighty Playscapes blog – including handy onward links to the Open House website, with more details and maps for all the venues.

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Posted in Outdoor play, Play spaces, playground, Public space, Urbanism

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Join me on a tour of some of London’s most playful places

Posted on June 22, 2012 | 5 comments
Glamis Adventure Playground

Glamis Adventure Playground

This post is an invitation to join me – and some kindred spirits – in September, for London’s first ever ‘Open for Play’ event. The programme includes site visits to some of the capital’s most innovative playgrounds, a walking tour of the acclaimed EC1 regeneration area, and an evening seminar.

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Posted in Education, Outdoor play, play, Play spaces, playground, Public space, Urbanism

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Last child in the street?

Posted on May 10, 2012 | 17 comments

How can we build the movement to make neighbourhoods, towns and cities more child-friendly? I hereby propose that we steal a page from the playbook of Richard Louv. Continue reading →

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Posted in Outdoor play, Urban planning, Urbanism

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Lenore ‘Free Range Kids’ Skenazy speaks!

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 8 comments

Lenore Skenazy in BendigoLast week I spent some time with Lenore Skenazy, and took the opportunity to interview her. Lenore is well known to many readers as the author of the blog and book, Free Range Kids. Continue reading →

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Posted in Risk

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Is street play coming back into fashion?

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 15 comments

PLAYINGOUT LOGO colour

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.

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Posted in Outdoor play, Public policy, Urbanism

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London leads the way with new planning guidance

Posted on February 9, 2012 | 7 comments

Cover of draft GLA SPG on playThe 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.

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Posted in Outdoor play, Play spaces, playground, Public policy, Public space, Urban planning, Urbanism

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