Regaining public space for children: the context and mechanisms of a play street intervention in central Paris

ABSTRACT Increasing the population’s access to urban public spaces has become a political priority for many cities. Street calming initiatives, including play streets, have been one means to make urban public spaces more accessible, especially to children. While play streets have proliferated globally, most are ‘one off’ events. The key elements involved in developing a longstanding play street remain unclear. Drawing on concepts from realist evaluation, this study involved the qualitative examination of a locally developed and recurring play street in Paris-Centre. It aimed to identify key contexts surrounding a play street and the mechanisms activated to illustrate how these can contribute to the play street’s development and sustainability. Collaborating with play associations, mobilizing knowledge about play, activating local networks, and receiving funding activated mechanisms of legitimacy, acceptance, and confidence in the play street. This was critical to launch the play street. Local priorities, strong leadership with shared values and aims activated mechanisms of enthusiasm among families and commitment and perseverance among the project leaders to defend their ideas. There were important for the play street’s sustainability. These findings can be a critical starting point for other localities aiming to develop a play street.