Where Do the Children Play? Taxonomy of Children’s Play Areas and Role of the City of Culture in Santiago de Compostela

Abstract

In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the relationship between urban spaces and children. This is the subject of the research herein carried out in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, while analysing the functional transformations of the architectural complex of the City of Culture (CoC). The objectives are to devise a taxonomy of urban spaces for children in Santiago de Compostela, analyse the role of the CoC in urban spaces for children in Santiago and study whether this transformation is linked only to the end of the works of the CoC, or if CoC planners are willing to adapt this great cultural infrastructure towards the enjoyment of children and families. After a brief theoretical review, the taxonomy of the leisure offer for children in the city is analysed. From a methodological point of view, there is a brief review of the planning documents and interviews are carried out. The results point to the emergence of a new urban reality that encompasses the taxonomy of children’s leisure spaces, where the CoC takes on a greater role both in the offer of outdoor spaces, and in the programming of indoor activities.