Aldo van Eyck: Seventeen (18, 19...) Playgrounds

"Seventeen Playgrounds is an architecture research project advocating for playgrounds that challenge children’s imagination. This project educates cities to understand playground as an opportunity for experimenting and it argues against the present understanding of playground to be a product, which can be purchased in the online catalogue, copy-pasted into any type of environment. Bright colours, plastic structures and animal-shaped elements seem to have set the tone, leaving little room for the imagination. It is of great importance that we—citizens, parents, designers, architects, city decision makers—realise the necessity of high quality playgrounds. City decision makers, politicians, parents, designers and architects should realise that children spaces are as important as other examples of the build environment. May all citizens feel free to join our mission: let’s give children the chance to grow up with the stimulating playgrounds that they deserve."