Sensational Cities – a tremendous success!

How does the design of our built environment impact the health and well being of our next generation?  How do we foster an inter-disciplinary approach to lessen and mitigate the emerging health trends of the next generation?

Playscape Creations in conjunction with Landscape Structures, hosted internationally renowned allied health pioneer and researcher Dr Lucy Jane Miller for a series of seminars in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.  Dr Miller is the best known researcher of Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) in the world, and founder of the SPD Foundation and STAR Treatment Method (Sensory Therapies and Research).

A sensational week of inspiring talks relating to designing sensory friendly cities saw a varied audience of landscape architects, parks managers, urban planners and occupational therapists. Some awesome discussion was had at UDAL’s Sensational Cities event, sharing the floor with Dr Rachael Sharman from University of Sunshine Coast, Katharina Nieberler-Walker, lead LA for Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Professor Susan Thompson from UNSW (via Skype) and John Byrne – working towards Designing our built environment for the challenges of the next generation.

Sensory rich recreational spaces allow for stimulating and exciting opportunities for adults and children alike, regardless of ability.  We all have a responsibility to create engaging playspaces that activate public open space and connect communities – both to the outdoors and to each other.

We will certainly look forward to continuing the discussion on evidence based design – and creating spaces that positively impact the health and well being of our next generation.

“Inclusive is not about meeting ‘special needs’. It’s about meeting all children’s needs in the same place and in a variety of ways.”  Douch, P (2002)

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