PLAY! A Cultural Perspective on Design of Playgrounds

PLAY! is a reflection on the culture of playground design. Urban playgrounds form a vast, intricate spatial and social network. Increasingly influenced by standards and regulations, and under growing pressure in limited urban public spaces, they risk fading into the background, despite their vital role in public life and social interaction. They facilitate professional collaborations, material innovations, and opportunities for climate mitigation and nature-positive design.

Through a photo documentation of playgrounds across Rotterdam, PLAY! captures the environment of play – an amalgamation of ideas, dreams, and efforts – interwoven with curated conversations with playground creators, designers, environmental experts and urban thinkers. PLAY! highlights progressive practices, concepts and ideas, and sparks a conversation about the future of public play landscapes, emphasizing their role in climate and nature restoration and fostering cohesive social spaces in urban areas.