A Copenhagen-based think tank has unveiled an ambitious new blueprint that reimagines playgrounds as essential civic infrastructure across Europe. The organization 21st Europe, founded by former SPACE10 creative director Kaave Pour, has partnered with design and architecture studio Spacon to develop the "Continent of Play" proposal, which positions playgrounds alongside museums, transport hubs, and energy grids as defining spaces for Europe's future.
The comprehensive blueprint follows 21st Europe's inaugural project Starline, which presented a design-led vision for a pan-European high-speed rail system. While Starline explored future mobility solutions, Continent of Play shifts focus to childhood development and public space design, advocating for a continent-wide network of playgrounds as shared civic infrastructure that serves communities across urban, suburban, and rural settings.
The proposal addresses a critical gap in European urban planning, highlighting that over 80 million children live in Europe, yet in many cities less than 10 percent of public space is specifically designed for them. Research cited in the blueprint demonstrates that access to well-designed play environments significantly improves children's physical health, academic performance, and mental well-being, while the absence of such spaces correlates with increased rates of obesity, stress, and social inequality.
"Playgrounds are among the few public spaces where design directly shapes childhood, community, and culture," said Nikoline Dyrup Carlsen, partner at Spacon. "If we treat them with the same ambition as museums or stations, they could become defining civic landmarks for the century ahead." This perspective positions playgrounds not merely as recreational facilities, but as fundamental infrastructure that supports community development and cultural identity.
Spacon's innovative design centers on a modular system of play equipment engineered to accommodate multiple forms of activity, including physical exercise, social interaction, imaginative play, and reflective experiences. This comprehensive approach ensures the facilities remain relevant and engaging across different age groups, from toddlers to teenagers. The modular components are constructed from locally sourced materials such as timber, recycled metals, and natural composites, designed as flat-pack structures that can be efficiently deployed across diverse geographical settings.
The system prioritizes adaptability and durability while emphasizing the importance of embedding each installation within its specific regional context to reduce carbon impact and enhance local relevance. Additionally, the play structures incorporate design elements that reference iconic European landmarks, creating a shared visual and cultural language that connects the network across national boundaries. From architectural silhouettes to abstracted forms, these elements aim to transform individual playgrounds into recognizable civic beacons that become memorable fixtures in Europe's collective identity.
Beyond childhood development benefits, the proposal underscores significant environmental advantages of expanding green play spaces. Urban green areas effectively reduce city temperatures and provide crucial resilience during extreme weather events, contributing to climate adaptation strategies. The blueprint positions these environmental benefits as additional justification for treating playground infrastructure with the same priority given to other major civic projects.
The Continent of Play blueprint was officially presented at Designmuseum Danmark in collaboration with Design Denmark, marking a significant moment for Danish design leadership. The launch comes as Copenhagen has been named the world's most liveable city in 2025, reinforcing the Danish capital's international reputation for prioritizing quality of life and innovative urban planning solutions.
This autumn, Copenhagen will host the inaugural Copenhagen Architecture Biennial, where the Slow Pavilion, constructed entirely from reused materials, will spotlight circular design strategies and sustainable construction practices. Adding momentum to the city's role as a laboratory for future-oriented civic space, architecture firm BIG recently won a competition to transform three central plazas into an interconnected city stage, further demonstrating Copenhagen's commitment to reimagining public spaces for community engagement.
The blueprint calls for governments, cities, and institutions across Europe to consider playgrounds as essential civic landmarks and shared infrastructure investments for the coming century. By proposing a coordinated, continent-wide approach to playground design and implementation, the initiative aims to ensure that Europe's youngest residents have equal access to high-quality play environments that support their development while strengthening community bonds and cultural connections across national borders.
