“No Messing Allowed”

The Enactment of Childhood in Urban Public Space from the Perspective of the Child

Abstract

A gradual tendency towards children being less present at play in the public spaces of Western cities has been noted in the literature. Drawing on a study that examined children’s experience of their everyday walks through public space, this paper argues that while they have a sense of belonging along their routes, children indicate that playful behavior is constrained. Fifty-two children aged 9-11 living in Dublin City, Ireland participated in a survey and a smaller group of 20 children contributed qualitative data through photography and interviews. This paper concludes that reinstating play in the street requires a reconsideration of how to support playful activity in public space.