ANNUAL CONGRESS 2025

Planning for Play-Friendly City: Global Narratives and Local Interpretations in the Context of Istanbul

Not scheduled

20m

Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul

Oral Track 09 | URBAN FUTURES

Speaker

Mrs Dzheylan Safet Karaulan (Istanbul Technical University)

Description

The concept of a "play-friendly city" has emerged as a significant focus within contemporary urban planning and policy discourse, reflecting an increasing recognition of the pivotal role of play in fostering children's development and overall well-being. While the promotion of spaces that encourage play and physical activity for children has gained broad global endorsement, the practical realization of play-friendly cities calls for a holistic approach, attentive to the specificities of local contexts, needs, and resource constraints. This paper investigates the global frameworks and narratives that guide cities in enhancing play and recreation opportunities for children. It analyzes key principles, shared objectives, and conceptual approaches, while also examining the diverse ways these ideas are interpreted and applied across local contexts. The study puts an emphasis on the specific needs and conditions of different cities in the planning of playful urban environments.
The first section of the paper explores the theoretical and practical dimensions of planning for children and play. Child-focused urban planning entails the intentional integration of environments that foster physical activity, social engagement, creativity, and cognitive growth. Such efforts extend beyond the creation of parks and playgrounds to encompass a holistic, multifaceted approach that incorporates local services, fosters community cohesion, and strengthens the relationship between citizens and public spaces. The overarching goal of planning for play-friendly cities is to cultivate urban communities that prioritize children’s needs, ensuring access to spaces conducive to healthy development, encompassing both structured and unstructured play, and supporting physical and mental well-being. However, achieving this vision requires cities to navigate the complexities of their unique socio-economic, cultural, environmental, and political conditions.
The second section addresses the global narratives and policy frameworks that direct the development of child-friendly urban environments. Specifically, the analysis highlights international policy frameworks that emphasize children’s rights in urban contexts, with a particular focus on the right to play as a fundamental necessity. These frameworks advocate for urban spaces that enhance children’s growth, safety, and well-being. Furthermore, the paper examines how different cities interpret and adapt global narratives of play to meet the specific needs of their populations. By analyzing local play plans, this section identifies common objectives, strategies, and actions, offering insights into the shared and context-specific approaches adopted by cities striving to become play-friendly.
The final section focuses on Istanbul's efforts to position itself as a “playable city”, presenting an evaluative case study of the city’s initiatives to implement a play-focused urban planning framework. The analysis highlights the commonalities and divergences between Istanbul’s strategies and those employed by other cities, while examining the distinct socio-cultural and spatial characteristics that shape Istanbul’s approach to planning for play. By situating Istanbul’s experience within the broader discourse on play-friendly cities, this section underscores the interplay between global ideals and localized practices.
This paper, paralleled within an ongoing doctoral research, offers a comprehensive analysis of planning for play-friendly cities. By synthesizing insights from global narratives and local practices, it provides a deeper understanding of how urban environments can be planned, designed and managed to support the development of children, promote inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable urban spaces and communities. The study lays the groundwork for future research aimed at developing a decision-making model to assist local governments and communities in their efforts to create play-friendly cities.