Playful and Child Friendly Cities

Article Highlights

Creating colourful cities:
With vivid colors, the Parkly’s module becomes a vibrant hub of creativity and joy.

Enliven empty places:
Safe and fun areas, complete with play and games, contribute to activating public spaces and to suburban regeneration strategies.

Tackling inactivity:
Pop-Up Spaces promote daily physical activity, as it encourages childrens to spend more time outdoors and in movement.

The challenge

How can children participate in city making? How to create welcoming and enjoyable outdoor spaces directed for children? The Children’s Pop Up Spaces in three locations in Helsinki aim to contribute to the regeneration of the districts while providing fun, safe and welcoming places for children in the everyday environments and neighbourhoods. City of Helsinki commissioned RaivioBumann & Parkly to come up with a collaborative, modular and adaptable placemaking installation as part of its placemaking programme. The programme was initiated in collaboration with Forum Virium Helsinki – Helsinki’s innovation company in response to surveys which indicated that children have experienced lack of inviting and safe public spaces.

The Solution

The Pop-Up Spaces initiative embraces the unique perspectives and needs of children in public spaces. Fun, colorful designs attract children and encourage them to use the spaces in diverse ways—snacking, meeting friends, playing, or simply lingering. These modular pop-ups also introduce opportunities for play and movement along daily routes, an essential step in addressing inactivity.

Co-created with children, the design incorporates elements for play, movement, and games that everyone can enjoy. RaivoBumann led the collaborative efforts for this placemaking project, while InnoGreen contributed its expertise in sustainable greening.

These Pop-Ups transform urban spots into functional spaces that prioritize the happiness and well-being of the city’s youngest residents.

In Mellumäki the theme is visible through graphics designed by Traffic Design.

“The wishes and experiences of children and young people are often overlooked, and many public places are frequently discussed in a negative light. In placemaking projects such as these, the topics are addressed through interaction and hands-on activities. The goal is to create public spaces that are inclusive, safe — and fun. Spontaneous play is now a frequent thing to see in these kinds of places. Spontaneous play has become a common sight in spaces like these.”

Päivi Raivio, Parkly & RaivioBumann

In Kontula the children’s pop up space is next to the local library: a popular place for children of all ages.

Urban Revival

Enhanced attractiveness: As children’s lifestyles become more and more sedentary, playful solutions invite them to move and spend time outdoors. It has various benefits!
Project flexibility: By its flexible nature, the Children’s Pop Ups have the potential to make any public place more dynamic and draw attention.
Environmental and aesthetic contributions: While improving the visual appeal, introducing plants adapted to children’s scale educate the younger generation to urban greening. Plants are one of the top five elements children wish to see and explore in public places!