Design Trendsof Children’s Playgrounds in Modern Urban Environment

Abstract

This paper overviews latest trends in design of children’s playgrounds and creating a children-friendly environment in rapidly growing urban areas. The authors analyse potential capacity of playgrounds to enhance children’s physical and mental development, encourage an intensive learning about the world from experience of playing. The paper contains examples of the use of non-standard components and innovative structures and materials in playgrounds located in Russia and abroad. The authors make conclusions on the need to apply state-of-the-art technologies and creative approach balanced with fulfilment of safety norms and construction standards to build playgrounds which would be interesting and attractive for kids and useful for their all-round development. By the example of Saint-Petersburg, the authors compare designing for historic districts of the city and its peripheral districts, and mention specific requirements to designing of playgrounds set forth in corresponding codes and regulations. This paper also describes cooperation framework between project customers, designers and residents of neighbourhoods (end users of playgrounds) as in the case of Saint-Petersburg. Another task is to analyse a playground accessibility for people with limited mobility. The authors introduce selection process of proper land plots, communication process with target audience (residents) as well as typical challenges to be handled by designers.