Adapting the Imposed City Environment as a Playscape together with Children

Abstract: My investigation finds its focus in the design of cities and the perspective of children living within them . My concern is the strengthening of the local community and their opportunity to participate in forming their local public environment . Through Play Culture1, children are informally reimagining the functions and meaning of their environment for their play. This often goes well outside of the limited boundaries marked out for them .2 In some instances, children temporarily reshape the material world within their means and resources available. Children are acting as informal designers within their capacity3 for their play. The development of public space for children often takes the form of designated play spaces, developed and implemented by trained adult designers for children . With the renewed focus on participation, these processes may include a participatory dialogue between trained designers and children to inspire a design. However, the design of infrastructure which supports children’s ability to directly shape their public realm on an ongoing basis is rarely a formalized design outcome in itself I will explore the design of infrastructure (a system of resources) which can support the child’s capacity to reimagine space and effect it, celebrating their culture within the public realm. When infrastructure is designed it should serve as a scaffolding to support the child’s creative expression within the making process4 of their own play . I will approach my design process with the following aspects in mind : Firstly, I build from the dwelling perspective.5 This puts emphasis on how design can emerge in a dialogue with place and people, through involved activity and specific relational contexts. Secondly, I aim to approach children’s Play Culture and particular capabilities as a point of interest that can lead design development. This means that I will aim to form a method of designing that compliments how I observe children designing within their Play Culture . Children are considered leaders of their own play. Drawing from Play Worker mentality,6 adult designers are considered a resource to support children as actors in the environment . I will explore a method for collaboration between children as informal designers and myself as an adult professional . I investigate how improvisational play can be a method for design when working together with children . I use the act of making and prototyping as a means for codesign and collaborative communication7. The method will be a tangible hands-on prototyping process that aims to support reflection in action.8 This is necessary when aiming to experience ideas together, bridging communication across age and language barriers.