Five human technologies inspired by nature – from velcro to racing cars
This fascinating article in The Conversation (30 December 2022) provides some great examples of how nature, from woodpeckers to sharks, has helped us solve technological and design problems.
Outdoor play: benefits, influencing factors and actual behaviour of kids
Despite the benefits of outdoor play, fewer and fewer children are playing outside. This Child in the City article (3 November 2022) explores how many policy visions and investments are still based on assumptions made by officials or suppliers of play equipment. When children are involved, they are often asked [...]
More space and play opportunities – that’s what children want in a post-pandemic world
This Child in the City article (2 November 2022) reports on a new study by Play Wales and Swansea University. Children say they want more space and more time to play with their friends following the COVID pandemic. They also would like more protected places to play, which includes investment [...]
Nature based play publication now available
Play Scotland has shared this new publication (July 2022) Nature-Based Play which is free to download. It has been produced in partnership between Arup and the Real Play Coalition. The publication explores the positive connections nature-based play can make between children’s wellbeing and climate resilience. This aims to inspire local [...]
Do different amounts of nature exposure in childhood affect adult sensory processes?
This study examined the mediating role of sensory profiles in the relationships between childhood nature exposure, and adulthood nature relatedness and creativity. Results suggest that children with lower levels of nature exposure grow up to exhibit a high tendency to miss subtle sensory stimuli. In turn, this sensory processing pattern [...]
10th Child in the City World Conference 5-7 October 2022 Dublin, Ireland
How can we connect children and cities, disciplines and professionals to make better urban spaces for children from all backgrounds? What can we do to protect our children from past mistakes? How can we connect children to urban greenery to improve their health especially during lockdowns? Find out more here, with early bird registration here.
Planning and creating space for teenage girls
This journal article has been published in Town and Country Planning, Vol 91 No 3 May/Jun 2022, pp153-154. It looks at the issues around planning and creating parks and other public places that are welcoming to teenage girls. The article suggests that the opportunity needs to be taken to engage [...]
Designing places for people who live there (with nature)
The Guardian online has shared this graphic novel-style article on urban nature (28 March 2022). This might be useful to share with young people on how we should design cities for people who live there. This can help with resilience in the face of climate change, community needs, and how [...]