Play as a Right: Designing for Childhood in Crisis and Everyday Cities
Since 1989, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has emphasized the significance of play as a fundamental right. Despite this, many environments fail to adequately facilitate play. A recent discussion highlights innovative architectural efforts that enhance play opportunities in various settings, including urban parks and refugee camps. Key initiatives include modular playgrounds for vulnerable children in Ethiopia and Egypt, the community-influenced IBTASEM Playground in Lebanon, and Glasgow’s Baltic Street Adventure Playground, which focuses on child-directed play. Additional projects such as the Ineza Children's Center in Uganda and Mavrovouni Playground in Greece are also making a positive impact.
Key facts
- Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has recognized play as a right since 1989.
- Playrise is a modular playground system by OMMX, Webb Yates Engineers, and SetWorks for refugee settlements in Ethiopia and Egypt.
- CatalyticAction co-designed the IBTASEM Playground with children and local communities in Lebanon.
- Assemble's Baltic Street Adventure Playground in Glasgow is a child-led space with playworkers.
- Assemble's The Voice of Children research project documents play across Europe, Japan, and Mexico.
- GDIRC built Ineza Children's Center in Kisoro, Uganda, and Mavrovouni Playground on Lesbos, Greece, using modular timber with refugees.
- ART for The World's Playgrounds & Toys initiative has invited artists and architects since 2000.
- Aldo van Eyck designed hundreds of small playgrounds in post-war Amsterdam.
- Stuart Lester and Wendy Russell argue play is an essential part of life, not preparation for it.
- Right To Play and UNICEF treat play as part of children's social and emotional recovery.
Entities
Artists
- Aldo van Eyck
- Stuart Lester
- Wendy Russell
- Alexander Meininger
Institutions
- United Nations
- UNICEF
- Right To Play
- OMMX
- Webb Yates Engineers
- SetWorks
- CatalyticAction
- Assemble
- GDIRC
- ART for The World
- designboom
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Glasgow
- UK
- Kisoro
- Uganda
- Lesbos
- Greece
- Lebanon
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Europe
- Japan
- Mexico