Category: The Public Space

Play Street: Giving the Street Back to the Children

A street segment is temporarily transformed by closing it to vehicle traffic, “giving it back” to children and pedestrians. For one afternoon, it shifts from serving cars to becoming a vibrant community space filled with playful and interactive activities for neighborhood residents.

Playfulness public space

Why close a street? This municipal initiative encourages residents to spend time outdoors by repurposing public spaces not typically designed for toddlers, families, and neighborhood residents. Such events shift community perceptions, demonstrating how streets can be reimagined as public spaces that invite play and foster community connections. The initiative is part of the city’s broader strategy to promote walkability and develop public space solutions tailored to young children and their caregivers.

The street temporarily transforms into a vibrant community event space for neighborhood residents. Activity stations designed for families feature attractions such as wooden games, bubble stations, game tables, juggling, Salta workshops, and Play-Car/mobile workshop activities. Mobile seating areas with mats and beanbags are also provided for relaxation.

The activity also provides toddlers and their caregivers with experiential opportunities that support early childhood development. Conveniently located near residents and tailored to the neighborhood’s unique characteristics, it is more accessible to those who might not typically engage with municipal offerings. This accessibility fosters a shift in perception and behavior, encouraging greater use of community services.

The vision for the project is to foster community-led events in neighborhood spaces, organized by and for the community. While the initiative began as a municipal effort operated by the community center, the goal is to hand over responsibility to the community itself, involving residents as active participants in both planning and operations.

We have already seen the beginnings of neighborhood-led initiatives at the events held so far. These included a performance by a local band, a photo booth run by a resident, and a homemade cake sale organized by the neighborhood school.

Partnering municipal units: The Community, Culture, and Sports Administration; the Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Authority; the City Beautification Department; the Inspection Department; the Construction and Infrastructure Administration; the Roads and Lighting Division.

Number of Participants

Depending on the area and community – ranging from dozens to hundreds

Duration of the Activity

About 3 hours

Location

A local neighbourhood street (not a primary traffic route)

Suitable for Ages

Neighborhood residents – children and their caregivers

Impact

Positive interactions and shared play between children and caregivers in the urban space.
A vibrant and lively community atmosphere that makes the public feel that neighborhood connections are being strengthened.
Active involvement of community residents in organizing the event.
Local businesses are benefiting from increased foot traffic.
Increased awareness and accessibility of community services for residents who are less familiar with or hardly consume them.

What we learned along the way

Strong coordination and alignment among all partners are essential to the event’s success. This is particularly important given the unique combination of transportation, safety, content, and logistical considerations in a space not originally designed for such activities.
Providing community centers with guidance on municipal street closure procedures is crucial for hosting the event. To facilitate this, an annually updated guide is available and municipal teams offer ongoing support to community organizations.
Choosing a location that is accessible and suitable in terms of atmosphere and convenient operation: The space should provide shade, accommodate strollers and accessibility needs, avoid overcrowding, and offer seating for parents with clear visibility of their children while also accommodating elderly participants.
Placing the event in a central neighborhood location promotes walkability.
A diverse range of activity stations engaged children of various ages, sparking their interest and participation.
Promoting the event through local community communication channels increased visibility and attendance.
The event’s modular and flexible structure can be easily replicated and adapted for different audiences, making it possible to implement similar activities in various locations across the city.