play tissue plan route

With its play tissue plans, the City of Antwerp wants to make the routes that children often use safer and more enjoyable. A play tissue plan is a network of car-free or car-free cycling and walking routes in a certain neighbourhood or neighbourhood, supplemented by ‘play impulses’ along the way. We first map out where children play, where they go to school, where they meet friends, where they go on a journey of discovery... We then look at which interventions are desirable, how we can improve safety along those routes, where there is a need for extra leeway. By making the areas where children often go safer and more attractive, we encourage them to play and move more outside. In addition, they will become more ‘independently mobile’ in the city. We encourage children to play outside more, but that also works contagiously for adults. This way they get more on the streets themselves, they make social contacts with local residents, they adjust their traffic behavior... The neighborhood becomes a more pleasant place to live. In the (re)filling of public space, children and young people are rarely really involved. Unique to the concept of play tissue plans is that they do start from the perspective of children and young people. Through an intensive participatory project with feedback moments, we ask them about their experiences, insights and opinions. We see them as equal partners, in addition to adult residents and professionals. These professionals come from various services: mobility, youth, sport, coexistence, neighbourhood management, participation... It is precisely this interdisciplinary approach that offers great added value. More detailed information about play fabric can be found on the website: https://www.antwerpen.be/en/overview/children's leisure offer/outdoor games/antwerp play fabric plans - https://www.antwerpen.be/en/overview/children's leisure offer/outdoor games/antwerp play fabric plans