The importance of play in neighbourhoods

While temporary street closures demonstrate the transformative impact of reclaiming space from traffic, they also highlight the opportunity—and responsibility—to design neighbourhoods where play is part of everyday life from the outset.

At TateHindle, we see play as a measure of successful placemaking. When children are able to move freely, play safely and interact with others close to home, communities become healthier, more inclusive and more connected. Designing for play is not simply about providing equipment or designated play areas; it is about creating people-first streets and public spaces that prioritise walking, cycling, nature and social interaction over vehicle movement.

This thinking shaped our design of Hobson’s Square at Great Kneighton, Cambridge. Located on a key active travel route adjacent to the neighbourhood centre, the car-free pocket park provides a welcoming civic space where children can play safely within sight of everyday community life. Rather than separating play from daily activity, the square integrates it into the heart of the neighbourhood, encouraging spontaneous encounters, active travel and stronger social connections.

As national debate grows around children's access to play, the conversation should move beyond policy alone. The places we design today will shape how future generations live, connect and flourish. By embedding opportunities for informal play into the fabric of our neighbourhoods, we create places that are not only sustainable by design, but resilient, sociable and enduring by experience.