Cologne strokes playground: New name for more inclusion and diversity!

Cologne strokes playground: New name for more inclusion and diversity!

In Cologne, a planned change ensures conversation: The city administration wants to replace the traditional term “playground” with the more neutral designation “play and action space”. The aim of this measure is to meet the diverse uses of the open spaces and to promote tolerance compared to different age groups and target groups. A report of the Cologne Stadtanzeiger recently brought the topic into the spotlight.

Cologne's mayor Henriette Reker (independent) expressed skepticism about the project. It finds the term "playground" as clear and understandable. While the administration is working on the redesign of playground signs, there are also other challenges that the city has to face. Reker announced that the proposal for renaming on September 4 in the city council to vote. An approving vote of the city council is necessary before the new signs can be set up in the Cologne parks.

of the idea for implementation

The decision to rename is based on the argument that the old term has too much delineating. Inclusion plays a central role in this: The city thus pursues the approach of letting all Cologne citizens participate in the aforementioned play and action areas, regardless of age, gender or individual skills. There are already places in the planning that are geared towards young children, but also for young people and families. Part of the planning by 2030 are over 120 new and modernized systems, including sports areas such as football and basketball spots as well as water play areas.

The opposition leader in NRW Landtag, Jochen Ott (SPD), criticized the renaming sharply. He points out that the condition of many Cologne playgrounds is very improvement and that the city's capacities could be better used elsewhere. The new signs, which were developed in a protracted process of almost a year, show fictional people in motion in order not to allow any conclusions to be drawn about age, cultural background or impairments.

Inclusion on public areas

A holistic approach for inclusion on playgrounds plays a crucial role. Inclusion means that all children can play unhindered and that there should be various levels of difficulty of play equipment. It's not just about sliding and swings, but about promoting creativity and freedom of movement through a wide range of offers. This also includes barrier -free access and suitable places for parents and grandparents so that they can help and support their children. A report by the Galk emphasizes that every small step that enables the participation of everyone is valuable.

Overall, the new approaches to redesign and renaming Cologne playgrounds seem to raise many questions for both the administration and the citizens. It remains to be seen whether the new term will prevail. The capital of the Rhenish joie de vivre is required to master the balancing act between tradition and modern requirements, while at the same time dealing with the needs of all citizens: