New research in child development is giving rise to playgrounds designed to build children's confidence in facing challenges and evaluating risk, Sumathi Reddy reports.

Ask any American, anywhere in the country, what a playground looks like, and you'll likely hear the same thing: A swingset, a slide, a set of monkeybars. Now, child development experts are challenging our idea of what makes a healthy, productive play environment for our children.
Conventional playgrounds, the argument goes, offer little room for healthy risktaking in play. When playground equipment is reduced to a safe space for children to run around in, it becomes a way to pass the time, rather than a place for children to challenge themselves and learn to overcome their fears. "The result," writes Reddy, "is that children are less compelled to play outside, potentially stunting emotional and physical development and exacerbating a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity."
In response, cities across the country are turning to new trends in stimulating playgrounds that have already taken root in Germany, Norway, and England. From Atlanta to Boston to Memphis to Saratoga Springs, Utah, communities are installing ziplines, climbing nets, and other such "risky" equipment, seizing on the idea that "encouraging free play, in an age of structured activities and computer games, is... important in helping children develop physical and cognitive competencies, creativity and self-worth."
"'It's important that play environments are as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible,' said [Ellen Sandseter of Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education in Norway], adding that broken and fractured arms and legs shouldn't be considered serious injuries."
FULL STORY: Playing It Too Safe?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie