A Call for Reimagined Schoolyards

In recent years, tactical urbanism has helped reinvent many streets and sidewalks in center cities, creating new public spaces. But many spaces remain untouched. Anuj Gupta argues that reinvented schoolyards can be the next great public spaces.

2 minute read

March 8, 2015, 1:08 PM PDT

By Josh Stephens @jrstephens310


Children Playing

Lessadar / Shutterstock

The city of Philadelphia has some historic public spaces, some fantastic new public spaces, and a wealth of vibrant street life. It also has dozens of schools, with countless acres of open space, which, though they are physically integrated with their neighborhoods, are not the assets that they could be. 

"Unfortunately, too often schoolyards are in deplorable condition, with pockmarked pavement, aging play equipment and few amenities. And yet they exude potential. There is more than sufficient evidence to suggest that safe, inviting and engaging play areas allow children to get the exercise they need, develop social skills and ultimately perform better in the classroom."

Anuj Gupta, director of a nonprofit community development corporation in Philadelphia, argues that the city's schoolyards represent a wealth the city's next great public spaces, which can serve not only the city's schoolchildren but also residents at large. He wants them to be greener, more attractive, more fun, and open to public uses. He suggests that efforts to renovate schoolyards will have ripple effects throughout the neighborhoods -- which will gain amenities -- and throughout the school district, which is losing students to charter schools. Schoolyards can give campuses "curb appeal." Parents, homeowners, and environmentalists alike can appreciate more attractive, better designed schoolyards. 

Gupta calls for the creation of nonprofits to raise money and implement redesigns; citywide master plans and community plans that embrace, rather than ignore, schools; "friends" groups to maintain and promote redesigned schoolyards; leadership from sources other than the beleaguered school district; and tax-increment financing to pay for it and, ideally, capture increased property values that will result from attractive, healthy schoolyards/playgrounds/parks/community centers that will result.

Friday, February 27, 2015 in Philadelphia Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

New York City subway train on elevated track in yellow light.

Aging NYC Subway Cars No Match for Extreme Heat

The MTA receives thousands of complaints about broken air conditioning on subway cars each summer.

3 hours ago - Gothamist

Google street view of wide street in Cleveland, Ohio with blue 55th Street sign and red brick three-story building visible in right corner.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs

The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

4 hours ago - Signal Cleveland

Aerial view of heavily damaged mobile homes after a hurricane in Florida.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households

Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

5 hours ago - Inside Climate News

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA