Co-Designing Urban Playgrounds with Nature: Pathways Toward Multifunctional and Biodiverse Green Areas

Urban development represents a major challenge of the modern society. Compact cities, characterized by dense urban fabric, represent the standard of contemporary sustainable urban planning, aiming to limit land take while promoting resource efficiency and proximity to services. This planning model often struggles to provide sufficient green areas that support biodiversity and enhance residents’ well-being. Small urban green areas are a viable solution both for fostering biodiversity and for delivering social and recreational benefits—particularly when designed as multifunctional spaces such as playgrounds integrating nature.

The aim of the study is to explore the current NBS integration in playgrounds in Bucharest and to propose solutions aligned with the population’s perceptions and acceptance of nature-based interventions. We developed an observation form which we applied for the playgrounds in Bucharest. The sample used for the current study included mor than half of the 600 outdoor playgrounds in the city. The observation form included sections on playground characteristics, planning elements, vegetation features—including nature-based solutions—and perceived problems. We also administered a questionnaire to accompanying adults, exploring their attitudes toward the integration of more diverse natural elements in playgrounds.

Results showed that outdoor playgrounds in Bucharest have a high degree of artificialization, with a low representation of natural elements. The vegetation in most playgrounds consists only of shade-providing trees, with no nature-based solutions integrated into the design or functionality of the area. Biodiversity is also low, both for vegetation and fauna. Initiatives to increase natural elements in playgrounds may encounter opposition from accompanying adults, as many are uncomfortable with natural surroundings that they perceive as potentially dirty, harmful, or frightening for their children.

The potential of these results lies in developing viable solutions that could increase both the presence of natural elements in playgrounds and the multifunctionality of these areas. A better understanding of adults’ concerns regarding the naturalization of playgrounds may help identify optimal approaches for their multifunctional planning and design.