HUNC

Why girls deserve their own playgrounds. And what to keep in mind while designing for girls.

1. NOTICE GIRLS. Most playgrounds are designed for boys. Bored boys tend to cause trouble and to prevent them from causing havoc they get a playground. Think of all the basketball, skate and football courts. Bored girls hardly cause any problems and therefore stay unnoticed.
2. EQUAL. Girls need to play as much as boys, because playing is crucial for a child's development and having fun is a right for each child.
3. OWN PLACE. Boys love to fool around. Pushing each other they have the best fun. But in their wild play they unintentially drive the girls to the corners of the playground. Girls need a place of their own, where they don´t need to make room for boys.
4. NUDGE. Place all the playground furniture in such a way that it looks inviting, but that it is impossible to do rough games.
5. CHATTING. Create places where girls can huddle together and chat for hours.
6. CUTE. Girls love cute and cosy. But most of all, it´s something boys dislike and will keep away from.
7. SMELL. Place sweet smelling flowering plants around the playground.
8. STEREOTYPES. Of course there are girls who love to play rough like a boy and boys that like to play gentle like a girl. But in general boys and girls tend to play differently. Don´t like making a distinction between boys and girls? Then create places especially for the quiet and peaceful kids. Where they feel safe and not troubled by the more rough kids.

Ze bloeien! Het fleurige resultaat van de eerste placemaking actie tijdens het Entree Zoetermeer evenement op 9 oktober '21. Bezoekers plantten zelf een bol ergens op het terrein.

Dit is een project van STIPO, MOOI lost op en HUNC samen. In opdracht van de Gemeente Zoetermeer

Drawing 2: inspired by structures in cities and in nature