Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for Water Management in Urban Informal Settlements
Coordinated by Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and SwedBio, this...
top of page
Tactic 14: Play as Infrastructure Development (PAID)
.png)
Play should be co-designed with communities, aligning with local needs and broader urban planning goals, such as safety, climate resilience, and social equity.
This tactic focuses on why and how to create safe, inclusive, and multifunctional play spaces in informal settlements. Play spaces serve not only as recreational areas for children but also as hubs for community interaction, environmental resilience, and gender equity. By integrating play into urban development, the rights of children to safe play are addressed, social cohesion advanced, and inclusive neighbourhoods ensured.
Point of interest: While provision of play to all children is an important principle, we should remember that younger children’s needs are the least met, and providing play for the 1 to 3 year olds can be prioritised in many cases.
The Challenge
In Kenya’s informal settlements, access to safe and inclusive play spaces is severely limited, depriving children and the broader community of vital opportunities for physical, social, and cognitive development. Play is not only essential for child development; it fosters social cohesion, activates public spaces, brings joy to the entire community, supports gender equity, and improves community safety.
-
Safety: Existing play areas, when available, are often situated near traffic, on the edges of dumpsites, in flood-prone areas, along railway tracks, or within poorly maintained environments, all of which pose significant safety risks. Children face threats of injury, insecurity, and exposure to contaminated conditions when using these informal spaces (Kabiru et al., 2013). Additionally, children must often ‘discover’ these spaces, further increasing risks due to the absence of secure and designated play zones.
-
Gender Inequality: Cultural norms and a lack of gender-sensitive design severely restrict girls’ access to play spaces, reinforcing existing gender inequalities. Without inclusive planning, girls may feel unsafe or excluded from these spaces, missing out on the developmental benefits of play (Muthuri et al., 2014). The 3iF Gender-Responsive Approach calls for thoughtful design that prioritises inclusivity and safety for all genders.
-
Lack of Integration: Urban planning in informal settlements typically prioritises urgent infrastructure needs, such as housing and sanitation, resulting in play being deprioritized or omitted altogether (Bartlett, 2002). This lack of integration overlooks play’s role in enhancing quality of life and fostering a sense of belonging within the community (3iF Tactic: Public Space & Networks).
-
Limited Space: In densely populated areas, land is scarce and fragmented, leaving little room for unencumbered play. Effective play spaces must, therefore, maximise multifunctionality, allowing for both recreation and other critical uses.
-
Social Cohesion: The absence of dedicated play spaces weakens social bonds and undermines community identity. Well-designed play areas can act as hubs for interaction and shared experiences, reinforcing social cohesion and community resilience (Gatabaki-Kamau & Karirah-Gitau, 2004).
Establish mechanisms for regular community feedback and use this input to make continuous improvements to the play spaces.
Implement design features that mitigate risks, such as clear sightlines for supervision, durable materials, and flexible spaces that can be adapted to changing needs or environmental conditions.
Facilitate workshops and participatory design sessions where community members, including children, can contribute ideas and feedback on the development of play spaces.
Design play spaces that incorporate green infrastructure elements, such as trees and water features, to create environments that are not only enjoyable but also beneficial to local ecosystems.
Engage community members in the co-design process to ensure that play spaces reflect the needs and desires of all residents, particularly the most marginalised groups.
Key concepts
Play in informal settlements should be co-designed with communities, addressing local needs and aligning with broader urban goals like safety, climate resilience, and social equity. This tactic guides the creation of safe, inclusive, and multifunctional play spaces, which are valuable not only as child-focused areas but as hubs for community engagement, environmental resilience, and gender equity. Accessible play opportunities improve social cohesion, support physical and cognitive development, and contribute to safer, more resilient communities. By fostering play through community-led processes, this approach emphasises inclusivity across gender, age, and ability, critical in resource-scarce informal settlements.
1. Play as Critical Infrastructure: Recognizing play as essential infrastructure supports child development and community resilience. Play spaces foster essential social, cognitive, and emotional growth, while also enhancing neighbourhood vibrancy and public safety by bringing positive activity to public spaces.
2. Inclusive Play for All: Ensuring play spaces are accessible to people of all ages, genders, and abilities builds social equity. Inclusive designs provide safe, engaging environments, making public spaces more welcoming to marginalised groups, including girls, younger children, and those with disabilities.
3. Community-Centred Design: Community-led design processes ensure play spaces are relevant, sustainable, and reflective of local needs. Through co-design workshops, community members, especially children, parents, and vulnerable groups, shape their play environments, strengthening ownership and long-term viability.
4. Environmental Resilience and Multifunctionality: Integrating green infrastructure, such as rain gardens or bioswales, enhances resilience to climate impacts like flooding, while also creating green, shaded play areas. These multifunctional spaces maximise limited land and support broader resilience goals.
How To
In the Planning and Design phase, prioritise site selection, community engagement, and adaptable, inclusive designs that align with broader urban and environmental goals.
-
Site Selection: Identify safe, accessible spaces away from traffic, waste sites, and flood-prone areas. Use mapping tools to locate open areas easily reached by children and families, ensuring clear permissions or land tenure where possible. Secure input from local authorities to establish long-term security for these spaces.
-
Co-Design Process: Conduct workshops involving children, caregivers, and underrepresented groups, such as young girls and people with disabilities, to understand community preferences. Use visual aids like maps or models to enable participants to envision possibilities. Incorporate participatory ranking tools to prioritise play elements, ensuring features reflect community needs and are designed to be inclusive and resilient.
-
Inclusive and Safe Design: Design spaces to support various types of play—active, exploratory, and social—for all ages and abilities. Utilise durable, locally sourced materials that withstand heavy use and environmental exposure. Ensure adherence to safety standards (e.g., BS EN 1176-1), incorporating features like rounded edges, accessible paths, and anti-slip surfaces to prevent common playground hazards.
-
Environmental Integration: Integrate nature-based solutions, such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable surfaces, to improve climate resilience while creating green, shaded areas for play and environmental learning. Use natural elements like stones and logs to enhance exploration and connect children to nature in a multifunctional design.
Case Studies
References
Arup. (2022). Playful Cities Design Guide: Play for Anyone, Anywhere.• Playful Cities Design Guide
Arup. (2022). Nature-Based Play: Building Resilience and Fostering Connections to Nature in Urban Areas. Nature-Based Play
Gleave, J., & Cole-Hamilton, I. (2012). A World Without Play: A Literature Review on the Effects of a Lack of Play on Children’s Lives. Play England. Play England: A World Without Play
Sutton, S. E., & Kemp, S. P. (2002). “Children as Partners in Neighborhood Placemaking: Lessons from Intergenerational Design Charrettes.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 22(1-2), 171-189. Article on Children as Partners in Placemaking
Moser, C. O. N. (2009). “Ordinary Families, Extraordinary Lives: Assets and Poverty Reduction in Guayaquil, 1978–2004.” World Bank. World Bank: Gender and Inclusive Public Spaces
Gatabaki-Kamau, R., & Karirah-Gitau, S. (2004). Nairobi’s Informal Settlements: A Spatial Analysis of Kagondo, Gatwekera, Laini Saba, Siranga, and Lindi. Further Reading on Nairobi’s Informal Settlements
Bartlett, S. (2002). Building Better Cities with Children and Youth: A Manual for Participation. UNICEF and Earthscan. UNICEF and Earthscan: Building Better Cities
Chawla, L., & Cushing, D. F. (2007). “Benefits of Nature Contact for Children.” Journal of Planning Literature, 22(2), 123-140. Journal of Planning Literature
Bernard van Leer Foundation. Urban95: Designing Cities from 95 cm—the Height of a 3-Year-Old. Urban95
Kabiru, C. W., Izugbara, C. O., & Beguy, D. (2013). “The Health and Wellbeing of Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Under-Researched Area?” BMC International Health and Human Rights, 13(1), 11. BMC International Health and Human Rights
Public Lighting
Gender-responsive Approach
Community-Led Sanitation
Related tactics
bottom of page