Basel: Designing Cities from a Child's Perspective
The Swiss canton of Basel is revolutionizing urban planning with its innovative "eyes at 1.20m" guide. This unique approach literally brings urban design down to a child's eye level, ensuring that the youngest citizens' needs and perspectives are integrated into every aspect of city planning.
Key features of Basel's approach:
- A 1.2-meter-long perforated measuring stick serves as the guide's format
- Encourages planners to physically adopt a child's viewpoint when designing spaces
- Provides methodological principles for each phase of urban planning projects
- Emphasizes the importance of incorporating nature into urban environments
By using this guide, urban planners and designers are challenged to see the city as children do - from playground heights, park benches, and street corners. This shift in perspective helps create spaces that are not just accessible to children, but truly engaging and enriching for them.
The "eyes at 1.20m" guide goes beyond mere accessibility. It prompts designers to consider how children interact with their environment, emphasizing the need for natural elements and play opportunities in every corner of the city. This approach ensures that Basel's urban spaces are not just child-friendly, but child-centric, fostering a city where the youngest residents can thrive.
Rotterdam: Community Play Boxes Foster Intergenerational Connections
Rotterdam has pioneered an innovative approach to urban play with its "Duimdrop" system - communal toy boxes that dot the cityscape. These small structures, filled with an array of games, bikes, sports equipment, and craft supplies, serve as hubs for community engagement and intergenerational play.
Key features of Rotterdam's Duimdrop system:
- Managed by council-paid playworkers and community volunteers
- Offer a diverse range of play equipment suitable for various ages and abilities
- Host seasonal community events like reading clubs, sports games, and craft socials
The beauty of the Duimdrop lies in its simplicity and inclusivity. On any given day, you might see children rollerskating alongside teenagers engaged in a casual ball game, while elderly residents enjoy a game of cards nearby. This open-ended play infrastructure creates a truly inclusive environment where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can participate in activities that match their interests and capabilities.
By fostering these intergenerational connections, Rotterdam's Duimdrop system goes beyond mere play - it builds stronger, more cohesive communities, one toy box at a time.
Copenhagen: A Playground Paradise
Copenhagen, already known for its bike-friendly culture, is taking child-friendly urban design to new heights with its "Metropolis for People" policy. This innovative approach is transforming the city into a more inclusive and playful space for all residents, including children.
Key developments:
- Creation of diverse, inclusive urban spaces that welcome people of all ages and backgrounds
- Encouragement of "eccentric" ideas in urban design, leading to creative and unique playgrounds
- Development of safe cycling routes and pedestrian-friendly areas throughout the city
One of the highlights is the new "Nordhavn" district, featuring a school with rooftop playgrounds and a neighborhood design that prioritizes safe, car-free zones for children to explore. This development exemplifies Copenhagen's commitment to making children active participants in urban life, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement from an early age.
These three cities - Copenhagen, Rotterdam, and Basel - exemplify how innovative thinking in urban planning can create environments that nurture children's growth, encourage play, and foster community connections. Their approaches serve as beacons for other cities worldwide, showing that when we design with children in mind, we create better cities for everyone.