Following the Special Mention Award for accessible play at the EU Access City Awards, South Dublin County Council were invited by Barcelona City Council to share their approach to accessibility and natural play at an event in the Saló de Cent, a magnificent Gothic-style chamber in Barcelona City Hall on the 3rd of December.
The event, hosted by the Mayor of Barcelona, marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities and highlighted the city’s forward-thinking initiatives in accessibility and their willingness to continue learning from other cities. With over 700 playgrounds in their administrative area, Barcelona is deeply invested in improving the play experiences of disabled children, including those with Autism.
In recent years Barcelona has committed to radically redesigning their city for people and nature. Their pioneering work on superblocks, green corridors, and inclusive public spaces has offered inspiration to other local authorities including SDCC in how to balance human and environmental needs while fostering accessibility and biodiversity. The approach of South Dublin of bringing children into contact with nature through play aligns very well with their approach and they were particularly interested in the benefits of natural play to children with Autism. It’s very motivating to draw inspiration from one another in creating urban environments that work better for everyone. This celebration underscores Barcelona’s ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
