The Playful City: A tool to develop more more inclusive, safe and vibrant intergenerational urban communities

Drawing on the importance of play as a form of learning and engagement (Bento & Dias, 2017), A Playful City set out to reawaken awareness of the beauty and adventure hidden in the banal everyday streetscapes of the city and reimagine them with the surrounding communities as intergenerational playful spaces. Through a people-first approach, both young and old citizens within communities are brought together to articulate how they view their local area, how they would like to see public spaces designed, and to support a sense of community ownership of public space. Harnessing the potential of children and young people as a key resource, working in concert with their own communities and outside stakeholders, is critical to the sustainable development of future cities.