Category Archives: Urban Development

Not Just Child’s Play: Why Playgrounds are Important to Children’s Development

Far from being a trivial part of urban developments, playgrounds and green spaces are much more than just “child’s play”. Providing built environments which cater to the rising generations must be an integral part of public policies, programmes and decisions. A recent UNICEF report makes the case for prioritisation of playgrounds and recreational areas which allow for outdoor activities and socialisation, saying “Green space can provide significant benefits for children’s physical, mental and social health across the developing world, including during and after humanitarian crises,” (UNICEF, 2021).

In practice, a child-friendly city includes the needs, priorities and voices of children in urban design and public furniture choices in each neighbourhood. In an ideal world, every child, regardless of where they live, would be in safe walking distance from a public green space. The space would be open, safe and inviting for children of all abilities. To achieve this ideal, the challenges to children’s access to green spaces, as well as the challenges of the space itself, need to be considered when advocating for, planning and designing spaces. UNICEF’s Children Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) calls for urban planning to not overlook the needs of children and youth.

In a discussion paper on the topic, UNICEF highlights that approximately 1.5 billion children live in cities.  For example in cities like Lagos, Nigeria, the most populous city in Africa, an estimated 70% of the city’s children live in slums – and sadly many will never experience the joy of playing in well-landscaped playgrounds. In sharp contrast most cities in Australia mandate green spaces as a proportion of new developments. Local councils and community organisations can ensure access by including well thought out public furniture as part of playground areas, allowing people to gather, meet new people and build community in increasingly fragmented neighbourhoods.

The inclusion, access and integration of playgrounds, parks and green spaces allows a child the right to meet friends and have places to play and enjoy themselves. Simply seeing green space through a window is beneficial to children’s development whereas significant benefits can be unlocked when children spend time within a safe green space, playing, creating, relaxing and reflecting (UNICEF, 2021).

As well as being places for social development and physical exercise, well-planned playgrounds can introduce children to good design from an early age, becoming a conduit for creativity whilst giving visual expression to a neighbourhood’s personality.

In light of the current world context, communities and local authorities can take immediate action by updating existing playground structures or incorporating appropriate outdoor furniture in places where children naturally congregate. For new or developing green spaces, reaching out to urban designers and outfitters will ensure an environment that is both engaging and safe for children as well as being sustainable for urban development.

References: Suchitra Sugar, 2021, UNICEF, Discussion paper: The Necessity of Urban Green Space for Children’s Optimal Development.

Available from:

https://www.unicef.org/media/102391/file/Necessity%20of%20Urban%20Green%20Space%20for%20Children’s%20Optimal%20Development.pdf [Accessed 20 July 2021]

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Design Principles for a Post-Covid World

Among the more unexpected impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic is the rethinking of how populations interact with their built environment, and whether large cities are the way of the future when it comes to urban development.

According to a recent report by UN Habitat, the effects of Covid-19 have highlighted “the unprecedented demographic, environmental, economic, social and spatial challenges that cities face”. UN Habitat, the United Nation’s habitat and human settlement branch, is focused on promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human development. Their report refers to The New Urban Agenda signed in 2016 which sets global standards in sustainable urban development, rethinking the way the world will build, manage, and live in cities.

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted several gaps in public space design which need to be addressed in the short, medium and long term. These include accessibility, flexibility in design of both spaces and the street furniture therein, connectivity and equitable distribution. As a result, implementing the New Urban Agenda is one of UN Habitat’s highest priorities. It includes policy to mobilise and empower all urban players around practical problem-solving and collective effort towards the common objectives of recovering from the pandemic and building sustainable cities, resilient to future devastations. 

Even in times of unprecedented restrictions on mobility, people still need to venture outside to exercise, play, work, commute, gather essentials, socialise and maintain a balanced mental state. Reflecting on the physical and social distancing restrictions implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, there is a dramatic perspective and relationship change happening within the public realm. While currently 55% of the world’s population live in urbanised areas, a number which is predicted to grow to 68% by 2050, the pandemic has disrupted social and economic development in a way which has not been seen in the past three decades, according to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The UN Habitat’s tool, “Guidance on COVID-19 and Public Space”, was created to prepare authorities on what to expect as cities start to open up from lock-down. Key areas of focus for an effective urban response for COVID-19 include:

Short-term:

  • Public spaces are an important asset in a time of crisis and can be used as spaces to spread information about public health guidelines
  • Communities require a well-connected and integrated system of public spaces including streets and walkways
  • Expand the amount of land allocated to public space including streets.
  • Embrace flexibility of functions

Medium and long-term interventions:

  • Equitably distribute public spaces across all scales
  • Plan for the self-sufficient neighbourhood or “15-minute compact city neighbourhood”
  • The design, materials used and management and maintenance of public space is key in fighting the spread of Covid-19 and future viruses
  • Build “social resilience” through outdoor community spaces for connection

There is a profound shift in thinking and focus towards urbanisation, the role and value of the public space domain which has taken place especially with the expectation that 6 out of every 10 people in the world will reside in urban areas by 2030. Cities and urbanised areas include spaces of social, cultural and economic significance. The value they provide includes both built and natural factors and the integration of these factors is important in sustainable urban development. This offers unique challenges for the astute precinct designer, whilst giving creative opportunities for the design and manufacturing of evolving public space furniture.

Read the full UN-Habitat Guidance on COVID-19 and Public Space here: https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2020/06/un-habitat_guidance_on_covid-19_and_public_space.pdf

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), 2020, COVID-19 Response Report of Activities, available from: https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2020/10/covid-19_response_report_web26.10.20.pdf [Accessed 20 July 2021]

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Fresh Air Team Meetings

One of the big questions occupying the minds of corporate leaders coming through the Covid-19 pandemic is “will employees want to return to the office after working from home?”. Setting the standard for the future of work, tech giant Google announced in December 2020 plans to bring employees back into the office in a hybrid capacity, working three days in the office and two days remotely. The Silicon Valley company famously known for its open plan, collaborative and interactive work spaces has designed different types of spaces including outdoor spaces to ensure a safe environment for when employees come back to the office.


As companies around Australia look to follow Google’s hybrid approach, Emerdyn has considered a reality where team meetings could mean a board “room” in the office gardens or a nearby public park. Accommodating the new office work environment and transforming outdoor spaces into functional open-air team meeting places or work stations requires durable, purpose-built outdoor furniture which takes into account the following considerations:

Shelter from the elements

While working outside sounds like a great idea, protection from the elements is central to creating a functional space. Outdoor workspaces require covering from sun, rain and wind. Emerdyn’s range of shelters can be custom designed to protect employees from the sun’s harsh rays and also the glare on screens or reflection from paper. For options see http://www.emerdyn.com.au/products-list/shelters

Seating

Although this may seem like an obvious inclusion in the meeting environment, consideration to layout and use is what will set your teams up for a win. In an outdoor space, a mixture of fixed and movable seating is advised in order to accommodate various configurations for different team needs. For this reason, fixed settings offering wheelchair access (tables with open ends and inset legs, or a shorter bench on one or more sides) make a great space for small group meetings or outdoor “hot desking”, allowing both wheelchairs and standard movable chairs to join. Contoured bench seating can also be installed to allow for group discussions in the round. See Emerdyn’s product range for inspiration: http://www.emerdyn.com.au/products-list/park-seating-amp-tables and our Garden Range for movable furniture https://www.emerdyn.com.au/product-detail/garden-chair-garden-seat

Desks and support surfaces

Working outside in ordinary public spaces may prove challenging to write or type effectively, so it is worth considering the ergonomics of outdoor working spaces, table height and materials. A variety of options can be experimented with in outdoor spaces, such as standing tables, and materials such as hardwood timber are recommended to allow for greater comfort when sitting for long periods.

In designing outdoor meeting spaces, thoughtful consideration must be given to functionality, comfort and aesthetics. The use of flexible configurations which include fixed and movable seating solutions, tables and shelters can create spaces for connecting ideas and productive collaboration. Public space should be designed to allow for physical distancing and companies need to ensure that these spaces can be cleaned frequently and thoroughly, particularly high traffic surfaces in the outdoor space.

For a full consultation to practically design an outdoor meeting space, please contact our team via 02 9534 1314 or sales@emerdyn.com.au

References:

https://www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/12/02/google-allowing-employees-to-hold-some-meetings-outdoors-on-campus.html

https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/why-every-business-should-copy-googles-3-day-a-week-plan-for-returning-to-work.html

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