Playable cities: sources

The model and the chapters for 'Playable cities' are based on an extensive desk research of international literature and websites about public spaces (for kids). Using the work of for example, Mikael Colville-Andersen, Jan Gehl (Making Cities for People; Gehl Institute), Tim Gill, Jane Jacobs, Kaboom!, Kevin Lynch, Project for Public Spaces (PPS), The Bernard van Leer Foundation (Urban95), The City at Eyelevel, and William H. Whyte. But also using the results from scientific research published in international academic journals such as 'Childeren's Geography' and policy documents from cities. The desk research has been conducted between October 2017 and July 2018, but my interest for the subject was started in the 1990s when I studied Urban Geography. Manifesting itself in a full bookcase and continuously observing and making pictures of the way people use the built environment. The attention for the subject got a boost six years ago when my daughter was born. The chapters are continuously updated.

Summary | WHY? | HOW? | WHAT? | Sources


Consulted sources and reading tips

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Lesley Abbott (2003) Birth to three matters: an introduction to the framework. Sure Start.

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Eva Änggård (2016) How matter comes to matter in children's nature play: posthumanist approaches and children's geographies. In: Children's Geographies, Volume 14, Number 1, pp. 77-90.

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Bernard van Leer Foundation (2018) Website Urban95.

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Libby Brooks (2016) Kids and the city: how do you build the perfect space for children? The Guardian, 20 December 2016.

Mariana Brussoni (2015) Risky outdoor play positively impacts children’s health. The University of British Colombia. 

Hillary L. Burdette, Robert C. Whitaker & Stephen R. Daniels (2004) Parental Report of Outdoor Playtime as a Measure of Physical Activity in Preschool-aged Children. In: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Volume 158, Number 4, pp. 353-357.

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Charlotte Cammelbeeck, Luuk Engbers, Maartje Kunen & Dayenne L’abée (2014) Ontwerpprincipes voor een beweegvriendelijke omgeving. Nederlands Instituut voor Sport en Bewegen.

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Mireia Baylina Ferré , Anna Ortiz Guitart & Maria Prats Ferret (2006) Children and playgrounds in Mediterranean cities. In: Children's Geographies, Volume 4, Number 2, pp. 173-183.

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Helen Forman (2017) Residential Street Design and Play. A literature review of policy, guidance and research on residential street design and its influence on children’s independent outdoor activity. Playing Out.

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Jan Gehl (2010) Cities for People. Island Press.

Jan Gehl en Birgitte Svarre (2013) How to study public life. Island Press.

Gehl Institute (2016) The Public Life Diversity Toolkit

Gehl Institute & Gehl (2018) Space to grow: Ten principles that support happy, healthy families in a playful, friendly city. The Hague: Bernard van Leer Foundation’s.

Tim Gill (2007) No Fear: growing up in a risk averse society. London: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

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Josie Gleave & Issy Cole-Hamilton (2012) A world without play: A literature review on the effects of a lack of play on children’s lives. Play England.

Jillian Glover (2017) Making the Case for Children’s Independence in Cities. Blog This City Life.

Jillian Glover (2018) Blog This City Life.

Helene M. Grow, Brian E. Saelens, Jacqueline Kerr, Nefertiti H. Durant, Gregory J. Norman & James F. Sallis (2008) Where Are Youth Active? Roles of Proximity, Active Transport, and Built Environment. In: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Volume 40, Number 12, pp. 2071–2079.

Maarten Hajer & Arnold Reijndorp (2001) In search of new public domain: analysis and strategies. Rotterdam: NAi Publishers.

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Gerben Helleman (2017b) Playable cities. Blog Urban Springtime.

Gerben Helleman (2017c) Speelbare steden: een persoonlijk verhaal. Blog Stadslente. 

Gerben Helleman (2019) Bicycle urbanism: know the ropes. Blog Urban Springtime.

Gerben Helleman (2021) Playing outside: who, where and what? Blog Urban Springtime.

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Danica Mast, Sanne de Vries, Joost Broekens & Fons Verbeek (2021) The Participant Journey Map: Understanding the Design of Interactive Augmented Play Spaces. In: Frontiers in Computer Science and Frontiers in Psychology. 

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Last update: February 14, 2022

Summary | WHY? | HOW? | WHAT? | Sources

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