What makes activity areas successful?

Former professional skateboarder and present partner with at Landskate, Veith Kilberth, gave examples from his academic research into understanding the skateboard culture and transferring this understanding to the proper appropriate design of skate facilities. There is a fine line between connecting with the skater society community andor disconnecting due to design which that does not sufficiently take the needs and desires of the local skateboard communities into account.

Robin Schneider gave inspiring examples of SkillsPark Winterthur and the need to exactly connect precisely with the urban sports and having flexibility in design and approach to the various user groups in order to run a successful and commercially viable urban sports facility. Along the same lines, Bryce Hinton, partner with at Convic, Australia, gave a range of visually inspiring examples of how successful urban sports architectural design can attract a wide range of users from all generations to various Australian cities.

HCMA Canada Managing Principal Darryl Condon whetted the appetite for the upcoming IAKS study trip to Vancouver in 2020 , by presenting inspirational examples of previously underutiliszed laneways in the Canadian city, which had undergone low-cost transformation with the creative use of colours and other urban design features as part of the partnership programme ‘More Awesome Now’. A laneway with a music theme and another laneway with an urban sports theme have now become popular local hubs and tourist landmarks in the Canadian city. The daily use by local residents of the previously deserted and insecure laneways has increased significantly.

Can cities and municipalities nowadays still afford to close the gates of the schoolyard at the end of lessons, leaving a space for play and exercise unused? And how can schoolyards be designed in such a way that school children are encouraged to take an active break? Discussion was stimulated by the workshop “From schoolyard to activity zone for all”.

The Danish foundation Realdania has dedicated itself to such issues as inclusion, social relations and inner-city living. In the development of public spaces, the concept of the schoolyard is being reinterpreted. Project manager Laura Munch presented practical examples where children spend time in the schoolyard after school and at weekends. This means health, quality of life and the creation of an appropriate environment with a motivational character for all – including local residents.

Many readers of “sb” 4/2019 are familiar with the Wonder Wood activity zone consisting of schoolyard and woodland, and now company owner Anne Dorthe Vestergaard of Vega – landskab has presented this successful combination to interested 26th IAKS Congress participants. With the active involvement of teachers and students, an exercise zone has been created that also extends to local residents. The woodland is not just a passive space but an active part of school life. The aim is to appeal in particular to “couch potatoes” and children who are socially disadvantaged or addicted to mobile phones. “Inclusive” furniture has been purchased for this purpose. In addition to opportunities for encounter and exercise, the project has created places to enable group work and outdoor lessons. Residents use the school facilities, creating an “interaction loop”.