Human Cities / website_100 BDW Kreativnih igrališta za decu Srbije – Serbia

100 BDW Kreativnih igrališta za decu Srbije – 100 BDW Creative Playgrounds for the children of Serbia

http://playgrounds.belgradedesignweek.com

The project “100 Creative BDW Playgrounds for the Children of Serbia” is a unique initiative, which aims to set up a broad platform for solving this important issue. In Serbia, there are other individual initiatives that deal with this problem, but it is necessary to increase the synergy between the public, private and NGO sectors, in order to fundamentally solve this problem. By linking these three sectors through the implementation of the project, we would create a better environment for growth and development of children aged one to twelve years. Municipalities would receive a donation in the form of playground design and project, as well as the purchase of required equipment. The municipalities would be required provide and prepare the location by applying Good governance principles and to commit to schedule funds in the budget for maintenance of playgrounds, and the donor would demonstrate its social responsibility by giving the donation and purchasing the required equipment for playgrounds.

In all municipalities in Serbia, most playgrounds are deserted and devastated, which is a bad environment for proper growth and development of children. The lack of playgrounds narrows the space for play and children’s physical activity, which has an adverse effect on their development, and thus on the development of the community. There is also the issue of existing functional playgrounds, which are one-dimensional and uniform. All the playgrounds are being built on the same principle, toys being installed on a flat surface, without a clear analysis that would show the extent of risk during playtime. Also, existing toys are not labeled according to age they are provided for, which is contrary to EU standards, and often the toys that are used do not have required quality and safety certificates.

Key-actors

Main promoter of the initiative is Belgrade Design Week.

Our vision for the “100 Creative BDW Playgrounds for Children of Serbia” project stems from the basic vision and mission to apply design-thinking in all aspects of our daily needs as society – in this case in creating playgrounds for children which are safer and more beautiful for playing. Equally important, to introduce design to children from the early childhood, which has a function to improve motor skills, follow up children’s needs and develop their creativity through game. Our vision is to produce 100 of these playgrounds in Serbia, designed and manufactured according to highest European standards.

The project “100 Creative BDW Playgrounds for Children of Serbia” promotes Common objectives of the European Union (The Lisbon Agenda 2020):
– The whole society is constantly learning (lifelong learning);
– Increasing quality and efficiency of education and training;
– Promoting equity, social cohesion and civic activism;
– Support creativity and invention at all levels of education.

Secondary players are the strategic partners of the projects: The City of Belgrade, Municipality Stari Grad and other municipalities, Secretary office for communal and residential works of Belgrade, Greenery Belgrade, Embassy of Finland in Serbia, Lappset and companies that supported it: Property Development Ltd., NIS a.d. Novi Sad, UŠĆE Shopping Center d.o.o.

Beneficiaries are the children from 2 to twelve and their parents who enjoy the new playgrounds all over Serbia.

Role of design

Our vision for the “100 Creative BDW Playgrounds for Children of Serbia” project stems from the basic vision and mission to apply design-thinking in all aspects of our daily needs as society – in this case in creating playgrounds for children which are safer and more beautiful for playing. Equally important, to introduce design to children from the early childhood, which has a function to improve motor skills, follow up children’s needs and develop their creativity through game. Our vision is to produce 100 of these playgrounds in Serbia, designed and manufactured according to highest European standards.

Through implementation of the project “100 Creative Playgrounds for the Children of Serbia” we will enable the promotion of functional application of design. Through the implementation of the competition and selection of the best concept designs for each of the 100 playgrounds, we will enable greater visibility of Serbian design and architecture, and especially the practical application of design in everyday life. Each of the 100 playgrounds that we build will have unique design, in order to fit the designated location.

Creative playgrounds are built on different principles, each playground is designed and adapted to the site on which it is located, so that the surface is often not flat, but instead adapted to the installation of each toy, in order to maximize children’s safety. Also, all the toys that are installed have the required certificates and clearly indicate the age of children they are suitable for. Creative playgrounds are designed and built to fulfill their educational role, so that the game playing can stimulate children’s development. Local governments are responsible for the construction and maintenance of these playgrounds, namely, the public utilities and housing companies founded by local governments. The local governments cite lack of funding in the budget as the main reason for the lack of involvement in solving this problem. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of the relevant companies and local governments through the use of principles of good governance and intensify cooperation between the public, private and NGO sectors.

CONTACT (of the editor)

Vesna Jelovac – Organization : Citizen Association Design Week – Email : vesna.jelovac@belgradedesignweek.com

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