Playspace guidelines

Mitchell + Associates were commissioned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to write ‘Guidelines for Play Spaces’. The guidelines are primarily for use by Developers working in the DDDA area. The background research into mapping public and semi private spaces against local character will be used by DDDA in planning and assisting developers to make relevant places for a family–friendly city. The guidelines discuss the importance of play, both for children and for communities, how children currently play in Docklands; issues and opportunities; guidance on consultation; and analysis of appropriate and conflicting uses in the Play Matrices. The guidelines also illustrate a ‘Play Map’, adopted by the DDDA as a planning requirement, which illustrates an inclusive and diverse approach to play opportunities in new developments. This plan, along with diagrams of the spaces illustrating their capacity to contain play opportunities, should be useful for all local authority departments dealing with play; landscape architects, planners, architects and developers.