UNITED KINGDOM: London Play AGM challenges play (24 November 2005)

Summary: London Play, the childrenā€™s charity which campaigns for a capital where children can play, is pleased to host an international and challenging open seminar, as part of its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 30 November at Coramā€™s Fields in the heart of London.

Oliver Schulze, public space international consultant at the award-winning urban design company Gehl Architects in Denmark, will contrast ā€˜People in urban spaces ā€“ Copenhagen and Londonā€™. Oliver will demonstrate the differences between the two world cities, focusing on quality areas which builders and designers in Denmark have to consider in developing their projects. Oliverā€™s experience includes an extensive analysis of the public space network in the City of ZĆ¼rich, advising the local authority in developing suitable tools for monitoring and improving conditions for people in public spaces.

Prof Pat Petrie, from the Institute of Education, University of London, will present ā€˜From childrenā€™s services to childrenā€™s spacesā€™. Prof Petrie argues that how we think about children and their place in society affects the people who work with them and the provision we make for them ā€“ and vice versa. She said: ā€œWith the invention of new forms of services such as children's centres and the extended school, these issues need further thought. The time is right for re-conceptualising children's services, for giving children greater respect and for recognising them as fellow citizens. More than ever, children and young people's own culture needs high priority.ā€

There will be a short film about Londonā€™s newest adventure playground, introduced by Nick Jackson, director of Haringey Play Association. To end the day, the Childrenā€™s Play Council will review the morningā€™s consultation into it's proposals to the Big Lottery Fund for a support structure as part of the new Ā£155 million Children's Play Programme. The consultation will give the local play sector a unique chance to make their voice heard about the proposed new regional play infrastructure.

pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/051124 London Play AGM.doc

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