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Reposted by Michael Martin

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

This is appalling. It seems the parish council made a mistake, and some adults complained. And it's children and young people who lose out, with plans for a new play space pushed into next year at least.

It's the sound of children playing, FFS.

Pharmacist on a Pushbike @ppushbike.bsky.social · 1d

A play facility that was paid for by community fundraising has been demolished because residents complained about the noise.

They should be ashamed of themselves

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Council demolishes play area after noise complaints - BBC News

Parents in a Derbyshire town say their children are 'devastated' they have lost the facility.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Michael Martin

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 19d

This summer, 40 Stockholm streets have gone car-free.

Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.”

Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Sep 8

Was lovely chatting with you Laurie!! Love the article ❤️

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Kian Goh @kiangoh.bsky.social · Sep 6

Skate park, bike parking, bus station, Saturday evening in Hiroshima #japan #urbanlandscape

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · Sep 5

“Compared to their parents’ generation, the amount of time today’s children play outside has declined by 50%. But this downward trend doesn’t have to be inevitable. Thoughtful planning, which listens to the voices of children and young people, can produce… environments where children can develop”

UK children face barriers to outdoor play due to poor planning, says study

‘Fragmented’ policies leading councils to prioritise approval of housebuilding over parks, researchers find

www.theguardian.com

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Sep 4

😎 I was very chuffed to be interviewed by @lauriewinkless.bsky.social for her @forbes.com feature

‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’

#HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously

@sheffielduni.bsky.social

How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?

U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Laurie Winkless @lauriewinkless.bsky.social · Aug 26

My latest article for @forbes.com is all about the importance of incorporating play in cities (spoiler alert: playgrounds aren't enough!) 👩‍🔬⚛️🧪 www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...

How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?

UK-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Laurie Winkless @lauriewinkless.bsky.social · Aug 28

Resharing my latest @forbes.com article - it's about play in cities, and how we're not doing enough to meet the needs of children. It features interviews with two experts in outdoor play from @sheffielduni.bsky.social ⚛️👩‍🔬🧪
www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...

How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?

U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Tom Hayes MP @tomhayesmp.bsky.social · Sep 3

Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉

We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Sep 3

Fabulous to see the launch of the APPG on Play @appgonplay.bsky.social - very hopeful that play will start be taken as seriously as it demands, with the hope of a new national play strategy and play sufficiency legislation.

Tom Hayes MP @tomhayesmp.bsky.social · Sep 3

Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉

We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to:
✅ Push for a National Play Strategy
✅ Champion play sufficiency law
✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jul 16

Thanks so much for sharing my article Zoe 👏

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Zoe Banks Gross @zoebanksgross.bsky.social · Jul 16

“Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.” @playingout.bsky.social #playstreets are a great way to make this happen.

The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · Jul 16

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

tcnv.link

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The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · Jul 16

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

tcnv.link

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jul 16

‘How to give children the freedom to #play across the city - not just in playgrounds’

My article in @uk.theconversation.com

#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen

theconversation.com/how-to-give-...

How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Jul 9

Children have as much right to their streets as drivers. There is no legal basis for them being shoed off streets. And I have no doubt that cars - moving and parked - cause a nuisance for children.

This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council.

@playingout.bsky.social

Stevie Zero @stevie-zero.bsky.social · Jul 9

Grim messaging from Manchester City Council 👀

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Jul 2

Great work from Active Travel England pulling together these pledges from all (but one) of the regional mayors. The focus on routes to school (which are generally locally extensive and dense) is a good way of building popular support, and putting children first.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Twelve of England’s regional mayors back plan to create ‘national active travel network’

Exclusive: Unprecedented move to focus initially on helping children to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · Jul 2

Relatedly, if you’re on your way to Active City York today, or just enjoying a morning coffee, you can read about another failed attempt at creating safer streets for children - 50 years ago - in my article for Highways Magazine.

For full text - https://misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/baee12cb-58e4-427b-9f7a-146a848a1df9.pdf

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thank you Wendy 👏!!

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thanks so much Alison and for the great session in Newcastle!! I found your paper with @wendyrussell.bsky.social super helpful!! Such a good perspective and one this article hopefully adds to.

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thanks so much Sally! And thanks to you and Alison for a brilliant session at RGS Newcastle! Was really helpful in developing the paper!! Hope it’s of use!!

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 26

Big thanks to @alisonstenning.bsky.social @salawatson.bsky.social for their helpful comments and insights in developing this paper - greatly appreciated!!

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 26

However, the research also revealed the #politics #children and their #play are exposed to when #playing occurs outside formal settings e.g. playgrounds

Ultimately, challenging children’s #spatialjustice in the longer term

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 26

Findings show promoting #play in #informalspaces can create:

- Dynamic play opportunities ✅

- Bolster children’s civic access and rights ✅

- Support innovative governance & partnerships for play ✅

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 26

New research on #Play & #ChildrensRightToTheCity published in #JournalofUrbanDesign

Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK

It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay

doi.org/10.1080/1357...

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Reposted by Michael Martin

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Jun 5

“With the exception of London, deprived settlements in England tend to have fewer, smaller and further-away playgrounds – a serious social justice issue.”

Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.

Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jun 5

Our article in @uk.theconversation.com reveals substantial #play inequalities across #England

Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them

Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!!

theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...

We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England

Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.

theconversation.com

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