Anna Ortiz i Guitart

Children and playgrounds in Mediterranean cities

Abstract This paper presents the first results of a case study on the ways in which playgrounds are constructed and experienced in childrens daily lives in two medium sized Mediterranean Catalan cities. The research is based on qualitative methodology through participant observation and interviews with institutional actors. Our research suggests that playgrounds are organised around age as the central category; nevertheless, gender is important in the use and activities developed as children get older. Specific aspects from Mediterranean and medium-sized cities are raised such as a positive perception and an intense use of public space by both adults and children. Specific childhood policies in city planning and a stronger gender awareness among institutional actors would improve the social role of playgrounds as participatory, socialising and inclusive spaces.

Implicacions socials de tres intervencions urbanes al Casc Antic de Barcelona

En els darrers anys, el sector del Casc Antic de Barcelona (actual barri de Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, al districte de Ciutat Vella) ha viscut un intens proces de transformacio social i urbana que s’ha expressat a traves de canvis en la composicio sociodemografica de la poblacio, en l’activitat comercial, en els espais publics del barri i en la relacio amb la cultura. A partir d’una metodologia qualitativa, amb entrevistes al veinat i a diferents agents socials del barri i observacions participants, aquest article relata les implicacions socials en tres intervencions urbanes que s’han desenvolupat en els darrers anys (el mercat de Santa Caterina, el Pou de la Figuera i el Born Centre Cultural) i que han transformat aquesta area central de la ciutat incrementant el seu valor economic i simbolic. El treball subratlla el paper del moviment veinal en aquest proces de transformacio social i urbana