Building resilience through Playground for Children in London Borough of Islington

Year

2025

Role

Service Designer

Design at

Royal College of Art

Design For

London Borough of Islington

RCA's Grand Challenge

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The Grand Challenge 2024-2025 focuses on helping local communities in London develop resilient systems to tackle pressing global issues, such as climate change, health, pollution, and socio-economic challenges. The goal is to design systems capable of adapting to and recovering from these challenges, ensuring sustainability and preparedness for future crises.

I worked in interdisciplinary teams from across the School of Design, each assigned to a London borough. We were tasked with identifying key local risks, engaging with the community, and applying design resilience strategies such as co-design, systems thinking, and data-driven solutions. The project covers areas like waste management, energy, urban sustainability, and climate adaptation, aiming to create human-centered, flexible solutions that promote community resilience.

The project is assessed through various milestones, including research insights, design propositions, and a final team video presentation. The final submission will showcase the team's creative process, research, design, and reflections on working in interdisciplinary teams, with individual contributions documented in a report. The challenge fosters collaboration and creativity in addressing complex, real-world problems through design.

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Challenge in Islington

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In London, the urban environment often works against the natural instincts of children. Public spaces tend to prioritise control, safety, and order, leaving little room for free play or self-expression. Children learn to hold back, until they see a playground. In these spaces, they instantly know they can be themselves.

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With thoughtful design and community involvement, adventure playgrounds can thrive in pocket parks, creating dynamic spaces that benefit children and the broader community. We will bring “Adventure Playground”to their doorstep through local “Pocket Park”,so kid can come to play easier!

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Islington has many adventure parks that support unstructured play, yet access to these spaces remains uneven. Children who regularly benefit from them are often from above middle-class families, while those from less affluent backgrounds face barriers to participation. At the same time, the borough is launching an initiative to create 300 new pocket parks, aiming to expand public green space. The challenge is to ensure that these new spaces are not just green but meaningfully designed for children. There is a clear opportunity to create dedicated environments that invite all children to play, learn, and grow—regardless of their social or economic background.

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Final Design

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Pocket Adventure combines the creativity of adventure playgrounds with the accessibility of pocket parks, creating small yet dynamic spaces for unstructured play, exploration, and community connection. These compact, urban green spaces are designed to spark imagination and resilience in children, while fostering inclusivity and environmental awareness.

In urban areas like Islington, where space is limited, children often lack access to safe, engaging play environments. Pocket Adventure fills this gap by transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant hubs that prioritize children’s needs while benefiting the wider community.

Pocket Adventure isn’t just a playground, it’s a space where kids can truly be kids again. It’s about reimagining how we use urban spaces to nurture creativity, build resilience, and strengthen community ties.

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Pocket Adventure is built on two essential components that work together to create a safe, engaging, and adaptable play experience for children in urban environments:

1. Adjustable Playground – A Dynamic, Evolving Play Space

Unlike traditional fixed playgrounds, Pocket Adventure’s adjustable playground is designed to evolve with the children who use it.

Modular & Flexible Design: Play structures can be rearranged, expanded, or modified to keep the play experience fresh and stimulating.
Loose Parts & Open-Ended Play: Incorporates movable materials like wooden planks, sand, ropes, and recycled objects, allowing kids to create and shape their own play environment.
Nature-Infused Spaces: Uses natural elements like plants, water, and logs to encourage sensory exploration and connect children with their environment.
Risk-Friendly Play: Encourages controlled risk-taking, such as climbing and balancing, to build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

2. Playground Chaperone – Community-Led Supervision for Safe Exploration

To ensure that children can play freely while staying safe, Pocket Adventure integrates a chaperone system—a team of trained volunteers and community members who support, rather than control, children's play.

Trained Volunteers: Chaperones are trained in safeguarding, child-led play facilitation, and first aid.
Supporting, Not Directing: Their role is to observe, encourage independence, and intervene only when necessary.
Community-Centered: Chaperones can include local parents, high school students, and retirees, fostering stronger community bonds.
Ensuring Access for All: For families who cannot always accompany their children, the chaperone system ensures every child has the opportunity to enjoy Pocket Adventure safely.

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Adjustable Playground

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At Pocket Adventure, we believe that play should evolve, just like the children who engage with it. That’s why our Adjustable Playground is designed to be flexible, adaptable, and ever-changing, allowing kids to shape their own experiences rather than conforming to a rigid play structure.

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Instead of fixed slides and swings, our playground elements can be moved, stacked, and rearranged to create new challenges and experiences.

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The movable foam can be used to create stuff that children want

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The playground can be adjusted to fit big space

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The playground can be adjusted into small space as well

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if one part is broken, it can be removed and fix easier without tear down whole thing.

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Playground Chaperone

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Designing a chaperoning service for pocket parks can add significant value by enhancing safety, accessibility, and community engagement. While pocket parks are intended to be inclusive and user-friendly, a well-designed service can address challenges like parental concerns about supervision, accessibility for working families, and creating a welcoming environment for all children.

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Validation

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We Create Resilience by Letting Kids Be Kids Again. In a world where structured schedules and urban constraints limit childhood freedom, Pocket Adventure is reclaiming play as it should be—inclusive, carefree, and accessible. Our playgrounds are designed to let children take the lead, encouraging them to explore, take risks, and shape their own adventures. With adjustable play structures that evolve with their creativity and a chaperone system ensuring safety without restriction, kids can rediscover independence and confidence. Nestled within communities, right at families’ doorsteps, these spaces remove barriers to play, welcoming every child regardless of background or ability. By fostering free exploration, social connection, and unstructured joy, we’re not just building playgrounds—we’re building resilience, one adventure at a time.

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My Role in Multidisciplinary Team

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Anusha (MA Design Product), Paul (Service Design), Iris (Textile Design), Yiming (Intelligent Mobility) and Nakyung (Fashion Design)

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In this project, I plays a pivotal role in research analysis and project management, drawing on my background as a Bachelor in Industrial Design graduate and Service Design Master's student. I conduct in-depth research to guide design decisions, ensuring alignment with user needs and project goals. Additionally, I manages the timeline and resources, collaborating closely with students from the Design Product and Intelligent Mobility departments at RCA. I also support 3D modeling, refinement, and the development of the design’s form and function, while contributing to storytelling to ensure the design narrative resonates with its intended audience. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, they ensure the project meets high standards of design, balancing user experience, functionality, and aesthetics, and fostering collaboration across design disciplines.

Plays a crucial role in research analysis and project management, leveraging their background in Industrial Design and Service Design.
Conducts in-depth research to inform design decisions and ensure alignment with user needs and goals.
Manages the project’s timeline and resources, collaborating closely with students from Design Product and Intelligent Mobility departments.
Supports 3D modeling and refinement, assisting in the development of the design's form and function.
Contributes to storytelling, ensuring the design narrative resonates with the intended audience.
Takes a multi-disciplinary approach, balancing user experience, functionality, and aesthetics.
Leads in research and management, fostering collaboration across design disciplines to ensure project success.

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London Borough of Islington

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Islington is an inner London borough situated directly north of the City of London. Established in 1965 through the amalgamation of the metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury, it encompasses areas such as Finsbury Park, Upper Holloway, Highbury, Holloway, Islington, and Clerkenwell. Covering approximately 14.86 square kilometers, Islington is one of London's smaller boroughs. As of 2019, it had an estimated population of 242,467 residents. The borough is known for its diverse and relatively young population, contributing to its vibrant cultural scene. Islington boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous theaters, galleries, and music venues. Notable landmarks include the Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal Football Club, and the Sadler's Wells Theatre, renowned for its dance performances. The borough is well-served by public transportation, including multiple London Underground stations such as Angel, Arsenal, and Highbury & Islington, as well as numerous bus routes, facilitating easy access to other parts of London. Islington's blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and modern amenities makes it a dynamic and sought-after area within London.

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Islington Challenges

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Islington is the 6th most deprived borough in London, with a high demand for both housing and public spaces. Due to its central location, Islington has experienced significant urbanization and growth over the years. This has made green space particularly scarce, and it is often cited as one of the boroughs with the least green space in London. The combination of high population density and limited access to green areas places additional pressure on local infrastructure, public services, and the quality of life for residents.

With its dense population, Islington has one of the highest population densities in London. As of recent estimates, it houses over 240,000 people in just 14.86 square kilometers, resulting in a very tight urban environment. This population density exacerbates the challenges of providing sufficient green spaces, affordable housing, and public services to meet the needs of the growing community.

The lack of green space has long been a significant issue for the borough. While there are several parks and public areas like Highbury Fields and Barnard Park, these green spaces often struggle to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. The borough has made efforts to address this issue by improving and expanding small green spaces and creating community gardens, but there remains an ongoing need for more accessible green areas to enhance the well-being of residents.

Access to green spaces in Islington is notably limited compared to other London boroughs. Approximately 12% of households in Islington lack access to a green space of at least two hectares within one kilometre of their residence, which is higher than the London average of 9%. Additionally, only 16% of households meet the "doorstep standard," having an accessible green space of at least 0.5 hectares within 200 metres.

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Kids in Islington

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Islington faces significant challenges related to poverty, caregiving responsibilities, and its diverse population.

Poverty: In Islington, 46% of children are growing up in poverty, one of the highest rates in London. These children are primarily from families where neither parent is employed, which limits their access to essential resources and opportunities.
Young Carers: The borough has 802 young carers aged 19 and under, a number significantly higher than the national average. These children often face the difficult task of balancing their caregiving responsibilities with school, which leads to social exclusion, increased mental health issues, and reduced academic performance.
Multiple Backgrounds: Islington is home to a diverse population, with a notable percentage of refugees and migrants. Between 5-10% of the population is of first-generation refugee origin, which adds unique challenges like language barriers and difficulties with social integration. This diversity requires tailored services and policies to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all residents.

These children often lack the support they need at home, as their parents may be too overwhelmed or preoccupied with financial challenges to provide the attention and care required for their emotional and educational growth. As a result, these children face increased risks of mental health issues, lower educational attainment, and a lack of opportunities to fully engage with their peers. Their childhoods are shaped by adult responsibilities, which can severely impact their well-being and future prospects.

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Adventure Playground

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Islington is home to a notable number of adventure playgrounds, offering valuable outdoor spaces where children can engage in creative and physical play. These playgrounds, designed for supervised, adventurous exploration, provide opportunities for children to climb, build, and interact in ways that foster imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. There are several key adventure playgrounds in the borough, including Barnard Park Adventure Playground, Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground, Martin Luther King Adventure Playground, and Waterside Adventure Playground, each offering unique features such as climbing frames, sandpits, fire pits, water features, and arts and crafts activities.

These playgrounds are a vital resource in a borough with limited green space, especially for children from low-income families who may not have access to private gardens or other recreational spaces. The adventure playgrounds are designed to cater to Islington's diverse population, providing safe, engaging spaces for children of various ages and backgrounds.

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What is Adventure Playground

An adventure playground is a unique play environment designed to encourage unstructured, creative, and self-directed play. Unlike traditional playgrounds with fixed equipment like swings and slides, adventure playgrounds provide children with open-ended materials, natural elements, and structures they can explore, build, and modify.

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Key Features of an Adventure Playground

Unstructured Play Opportunities:
- Children are free to choose how they play, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and independence.
- Activities might include building dens, digging, climbing, and role-playing.
Loose Parts and Tools:
- Includes materials like wood planks, ropes, tires, and sand that children can use to build or experiment with.
- Tools (e.g., hammers, nails) are often provided in supervised settings to encourage hands-on learning.
Natural Elements:
- Features like mud, water, plants, and trees encourage exploration and connection with nature.
- Sensory-rich environments stimulate physical and emotional development.
Risk-Friendly Design:
- Encourages children to take age-appropriate risks in a safe, supervised environment, building confidence and resilience.

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Community-oriented Research

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We visited Islington three times to explore adventure playgrounds and their impact on the community. During these visits, we conducted ethnographic observations at key playgrounds to analyze how children engage in unstructured play and connect with their peers. We also documented playground designs and their alignment with inclusivity and accessibility goals.

We spoke with four play workers, who shared detailed insights into safeguarding practices and the importance of balancing freedom and safety in these spaces. Conversations with three parents highlighted the benefits of playgrounds for their children’s physical and emotional well-being, as well as challenges like limited accessibility. Additionally, we engaged with two community volunteers, who emphasized the role of playgrounds in fostering social cohesion and providing a lifeline for disadvantaged families.

Through these nine conversations, we gained a well-rounded perspective on the significance of adventure playgrounds in Islington. The diverse voices and firsthand accounts underscored how these spaces serve as essential community assets, addressing issues like poverty, social isolation, and the need for inclusive environments where children can thrive. These engagements enriched our understanding of the interplay between social dynamics and urban play spaces.

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Insights from Community

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1. Accessibility is Limited to Middle-Class Families

While adventure playgrounds are free, the children who attend are often from middle-class families. Their parents have the time and means to bring them, and they can afford transportation. This suggests a gap in accessibility for lower-income families who may struggle with time, travel costs, or awareness of these play spaces.

2. Digitalisation Creates Barriers for Parents

Many parents face challenges navigating digital systems, from online registrations to accessing information about the playgrounds. This barrier can exclude families who are less digitally literate, especially those from older generations or non-English-speaking communities.

3. Children Love the Freedom of Play

Kids thrive in these playgrounds because they offer a rare space where they can roam freely, explore, take risks, and be themselves. Unlike structured environments like schools or playgroups, these spaces empower children to make their own choices, fostering independence and creativity.

4. London is Not Designed for Children

Public spaces in London often discourage free play. Parents tend to keep their children close in urban settings due to concerns about safety, social expectations, and limited child-friendly areas. This reinforces the need for dedicated spaces where children can play without restriction.

5. Gentrification is Commercialising Play

With gentrification, many informal play areas and community spaces have been commercialized. Instead of free play, many parents feel pressured to pay for structured activities, indoor play centers, or memberships. This shift restricts access to play for families who cannot afford these experiences.

6. Funding and Maintenance Are a Constant Struggle

Despite their impact, adventure playgrounds face severe funding shortages. Many rely on the personal dedication of individuals and volunteers to remain operational. With little financial support from local authorities or businesses, maintaining these spaces is a challenge, threatening their long-term sustainability.

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Other Playground

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In some urban settings, small playgrounds within private parks are designed more to meet planning requirements than to serve as meaningful recreational spaces for children. These playgrounds often lack thoughtful design, inclusivity, and sufficient facilities, making them less effective in fostering children's physical, social, and cognitive development. By prioritizing box-checking over genuine usability, these spaces fail to address the real needs of communities, particularly in densely populated areas where accessible and well-equipped playgrounds are crucial. This reinforces the need for public and inclusive play areas that prioritize quality and functionality over mere compliance.

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Who requires?

In Islington, the provision of play spaces within new developments is guided by both national and local planning policies. Nationally, the Fields in Trust organization recommends a standard of 6 acres of recreational land per 1,000 residents, with 2 acres dedicated to children's play, including equipped playgrounds.

Locally, Islington's planning policies emphasize the importance of high-quality, accessible play spaces. The Islington Urban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides guidance on urban design principles to ensure new developments contribute positively to the borough.

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What Playground should look like

Playgrounds should promote unstructured play because it is essential for children's holistic development. Unstructured play allows children to explore, imagine, and interact with their environment in their own way, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resilience.

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Incorporate Open-Ended Features:
- Elements like loose parts, sandboxes, water play areas, and climbing structures allow children to use their creativity.
Blend Nature with Play:
- Use logs, rocks, plants, and trees to create natural, sensory-rich environments.
Encourage Exploration:
- Design spaces with hidden corners, pathways, and varying elevations that invite discovery.
Provide Flexible Zones:
- Create areas for different types of play, such as quiet spaces for reflection and active zones for physical challenges.
Enable Risk-Taking:
- Include features that allow children to challenge themselves, like rope bridges, high platforms, or uneven surfaces, while maintaining safety.

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Opportunity

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To address this deficiency, Islington Council has initiated several programs aimed at enhancing the availability and quality of green spaces. The "Islington Greener Together" initiative encourages residents, businesses, and community groups to propose and develop greening projects in their neighborhoods. This includes creating parklets, pocket parks, rainwater gardens, and planting trees to transform underutilized areas into accessible green spaces.

Furthermore, the council has launched the "Islington Greener Together Champions" program, which provides training, support, and resources to residents interested in maintaining and enhancing local green spaces. This initiative aims to foster community involvement in creating a more attractive and environmentally friendly borough.

Islington has been actively developing pocket parks to enhance green space accessibility for its residents. As of 2024, the borough has identified over 300 potential sites, primarily underused dead-end streets and stub roads, suitable for conversion into pocket parks.

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What is pocket park

A pocket park is a small-scale green space, often less than an acre in size, designed to provide accessible recreation, relaxation, and environmental benefits in urban areas. These parks are typically created by transforming underutilized or neglected spaces into functional and inviting environments for public use.

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Key Characteristics of a Pocket Park:

Small Size:
- Typically under 0.5 hectares (around 1.2 acres), making them suitable for dense urban areas.
Accessible Location:
- Positioned within residential or commercial neighborhoods, often at walking distance, to serve the immediate community.
Multi-Purpose Design:
- Offers a variety of uses, such as seating, play areas, greenery, and pathways.
- Can include natural elements like trees, plants, and gardens or functional features like benches, sculptures, or water fountains.
Community-Centered:
- Often designed with community input, focusing on the needs of the local population.
- Encourages social interaction and strengthens neighborhood connections.
Environmental Benefits:
- Contributes to urban greening by improving air quality, reducing heat islands, and supporting biodiversity.
Adaptable Spaces:
- Created from underused or unconventional areas.

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Design Development

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Paul / Plu

Building resilience through Playground for Children in London Borough of Islington

Year

2025

Role

Service Designer

Design at

Royal College of Art

Design For

London Borough of Islington

RCA's Grand Challenge

Challenge in Islington

Final Design

1. Adjustable Playground – A Dynamic, Evolving Play Space

2. Playground Chaperone – Community-Led Supervision for Safe Exploration

Adjustable Playground

Playground Chaperone

Validation

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