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Michael Martin

@mic-martin.bsky.social
150 followers 144 following 30 posts

Lecturer & Programme Director of Urban Design & Planning, University of Sheffield working in #urbandesign #childfriendlycities #urbanplay 🇮🇪 co-author of ‘Applied Urban Design: A Contextually Responsive Approach’, Routledge Books amzn.eu/d/i4dPGoH

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Reposted by Michael Martin
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
This is a powerful document and the argument a no-brainer if we want good urban journeys and good urban spaces - and if we want to take our responsibilities to children seriously. As well as practitioners, urban, children’s and transport geographers could all learn a lot.
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
NSPCC calls for walkable, low-traffic & car-free streets to safeguard children “walkable neighbourhoods, with low-traffic or car-free streets, strong visual connections between homes and shared spaces and micro-scale features such as small play pockets, to support children’s everyday independence”
thedeveloper.live
NSPCC calls for walkable, low-traffic and car-free streets to safeguard children
Leading UK children's charity releases toolkit and calls on built environment to enshrine child safeguarding into the property development cycle
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Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
“…disabled people are actually less likely to drive than nondisabled people and more likely to get around by walking and rolling and taking transit. Car-heavy cities are also disproportionately dangerous for disabled folks…”— @nondriver.bsky.social Don’t use accessibility “as a political football.”
motherjones.com
Do car-free zones hurt disabled people? We asked experts.
City planners and advocates are seeing "accessibility used as a political football."
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Town and Country Planning Association @thetcpa.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
When we talk about outdoor play for children, many people picture swings or slides. But what about 'natural play'? Splashing in puddles & making dens can nurture children's creativity, resilience & build connection to nature. This webinar explores why it matters: www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/pl...
tcpa.org.uk
Plants, puddles and possibility: the importance of natural play for children
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Town and Country Planning Association @thetcpa.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
There's still time to register for our free webinar: 'Plants, puddles & possibility: the importance of natural play for children' Discover what we mean by 'natural play' & explore the evidence on why it matters for children. 📆 Monday 26 January 🕰️11.30am - 1pm 🖇️ www.tcpa.org.uk/event/plants...
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Town and Country Planning Association @thetcpa.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
From muddy knees to makeshift dens, everyday playful encounters with nature are important in childhood. Our free webinar on 26 January will explore why natural play matters for children, especially those living in dense, risk-averse & urban environments. Agenda & registrations: shorturl.at/320yq
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Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Holy moly - Welsh Government have approved side-road zebras! www.gov.wales/written-stat...
gov.wales
Written Statement: Side Road Zebra Crossings in Wales | GOV.WALES
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
In the @uk.theconversation.com, I rehearse - in briefer form - my arguments _for_ play in grey space, arguing that it affords opportunities for play, connection and care that green space often can’t, and that it’s politically important to value play in these spaces.
theconversation.com
Children should have a right to play in the streets, alleys, pavements and car parks of their neighbourhoods
Play isn’t just for playgrounds.
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
This is appalling. It seems the parish council made a mistake, and some adults complained. And it's children and young people who lose out, with plans for a new play space pushed into next year at least. It's the sound of children playing, FFS.
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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
This summer, 40 Stockholm streets have gone car-free. Deputy Mayor: “Change makes people nervous, and they don’t like when it feels forced. So, [we] frame these road closures like a fun little experiment that can go away if people don’t like them.” Source: www.politico.eu/newsletter/g...
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Was lovely chatting with you Laurie!! Love the article ❤️
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Kian Goh @kiangoh.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Skate park, bike parking, bus station, Saturday evening in Hiroshima #japan #urbanlandscape
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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
“Compared to their parents’ generation, the amount of time today’s children play outside has declined by 50%. But this downward trend doesn’t have to be inevitable. Thoughtful planning, which listens to the voices of children and young people, can produce… environments where children can develop”
theguardian.com
UK children face barriers to outdoor play due to poor planning, says study
‘Fragmented’ policies leading councils to prioritise approval of housebuilding over parks, researchers find
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
😎 I was very chuffed to be interviewed by @lauriewinkless.bsky.social for her @forbes.com feature ‘How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?’ #HelenWoolley and I reflect on our respective research on planning & designing cities that take children’s rights seriously @sheffielduni.bsky.social
forbes.com
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
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Laurie Winkless @lauriewinkless.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
My latest article for @forbes.com is all about the importance of incorporating play in cities (spoiler alert: playgrounds aren't enough!) 👩‍🔬⚛️🧪 www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
forbes.com
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
UK-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Laurie Winkless @lauriewinkless.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Resharing my latest @forbes.com article - it's about play in cities, and how we're not doing enough to meet the needs of children. It features interviews with two experts in outdoor play from @sheffielduni.bsky.social ⚛️👩‍🔬🧪 www.forbes.com/sites/laurie...
forbes.com
How Can We Make Our Cities More Child-Friendly?
U.K.-based researchers say that we're failing children when it comes to urban design, ignoring their fundamental right to play in our cities.
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Tom Hayes MP @tomhayesmp.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Yesterday we launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play (@appgonplay.bsky.social) 🎉 We're already 40 MPs and Peers strong, working together to: ✅ Push for a National Play Strategy ✅ Champion play sufficiency law ✅ Put play back at the heart of childhood
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Fabulous to see the launch of the APPG on Play @appgonplay.bsky.social - very hopeful that play will start be taken as seriously as it demands, with the hope of a new national play strategy and play sufficiency legislation.
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Thanks so much for sharing my article Zoe 👏
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Zoe Banks Gross @zoebanksgross.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
“Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.” @playingout.bsky.social #playstreets are a great way to make this happen.
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The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 16/07/2025
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
tcnv.link
How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
‘How to give children the freedom to #play across the city - not just in playgrounds’ My article in @uk.theconversation.com #Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen theconversation.com/how-to-give-...
theconversation.com
How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds
Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.
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Reposted by Michael Martin
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Children have as much right to their streets as drivers. There is no legal basis for them being shoed off streets. And I have no doubt that cars - moving and parked - cause a nuisance for children. This is extraordinarily depressing from Manchester City Council. @playingout.bsky.social
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Great work from Active Travel England pulling together these pledges from all (but one) of the regional mayors. The focus on routes to school (which are generally locally extensive and dense) is a good way of building popular support, and putting children first. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Twelve of England’s regional mayors back plan to create ‘national active travel network’
Exclusive: Unprecedented move to focus initially on helping children to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Relatedly, if you’re on your way to Active City York today, or just enjoying a morning coffee, you can read about another failed attempt at creating safer streets for children - 50 years ago - in my article for Highways Magazine.
For full text - https://misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/baee12cb-58e4-427b-9f7a-146a848a1df9.pdf
For full text - https://misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/baee12cb-58e4-427b-9f7a-146a848a1df9.pdf
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Thank you Wendy 👏!!
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Thanks so much Alison and for the great session in Newcastle!! I found your paper with @wendyrussell.bsky.social super helpful!! Such a good perspective and one this article hopefully adds to.
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Thanks so much Sally! And thanks to you and Alison for a brilliant session at RGS Newcastle! Was really helpful in developing the paper!! Hope it’s of use!!
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Big thanks to @alisonstenning.bsky.social @salawatson.bsky.social for their helpful comments and insights in developing this paper - greatly appreciated!!
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
However, the research also revealed the #politics #children and their #play are exposed to when #playing occurs outside formal settings e.g. playgrounds Ultimately, challenging children’s #spatialjustice in the longer term
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Findings show promoting #play in #informalspaces can create: - Dynamic play opportunities ✅ - Bolster children’s civic access and rights ✅ - Support innovative governance & partnerships for play ✅
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
New research on #Play & #ChildrensRightToTheCity published in #JournalofUrbanDesign Exploring four international cases of #creativeplacemaking for #children / #play in Australia EU and UK It uncovers new evidence on the significance of #informalspaces to promote #urbanplay doi.org/10.1080/1357...
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
“With the exception of London, deprived settlements in England tend to have fewer, smaller and further-away playgrounds – a serious social justice issue.” Very much the situation in the parts of the north-east I’m working in, exacerbated by questions of quality and wider environments too.
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Our article in @uk.theconversation.com reveals substantial #play inequalities across #England Paul Brindley & I looked at England’s largest settlements & mapped patterns from +18,000 #playgrounds within them Serious #socialjustice issues for #children exist!! theconversation.com/we-mapped-18...
theconversation.com
We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
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Reposted by Michael Martin
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 04/06/2025
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
tcnv.link
We mapped 18,000 children’s playgrounds and revealed inequality across England
Our maps show some kids have nearer, bigger playgrounds than others.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Play England's new strategy recognises all the ways children play & that it's not them that need fixing but the systems round them. bit.ly/43AoFlFC Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
bit.ly
106415 Play England - Strategy Document FINAL
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Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 29/04/2025
Shanghai's rapid and dramatic transformation from industrial hub to modern metropolis is best embodied by the East Bank of the Huangpu River. At the heart of the waterfront’s revitalization is a 21-kilometre linear park, with continuous—and sometimes elevated—space for walking, jogging and cycling.🧵
People walk, cycle, and jog along a linear park lined with trees and vegetation featuring separated walking and cycling pathways along the Huangpu River in Downtown Shanghai.People walk, cycle, and jog along a linear park lined with trees and vegetation featuring separated walking and cycling pathways along the Huangpu River in Downtown Shanghai.People walk, cycle, and jog along a linear park lined with trees and vegetation featuring separated walking and cycling pathways along the Huangpu River in Downtown Shanghai.People walk, cycle, and jog along a linear park lined with trees and vegetation featuring separated walking and cycling pathways along the Huangpu River in Downtown Shanghai.
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Happening today! Looking forward to our Urbanism Hour for @academyofurbanism.bsky.social this afternoon @13.00 ‘Shaping Urban Design as a Technical Vocation’ Details below…
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The Academy of Urbanism (AoU) @academyofurbanism.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Tomorrow's Urbanism Hour, the last of the spring season, will look at the the 'why', 'who' and 'how' of urban design as a technical discipline with speakers Dr Philip Black and dR Michael Martin. Friday 25 April (online) with free Member tickets - register at: www.theaou.org/events/urban...
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A Playful City @aplayfulcity.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
"The objective is therefore not to create specific facilities for children, but to consider the place of young people in order to improve public spaces for the benefit of all." theconversation.com/pourquoi-les...
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Alice Ferguson @aliceferguson.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Play - and children's urgent need for more of it - has had a lot of UK media coverage recently. This is VERY GOOD. It has also brought out some common misconceptions. So, in the interests of myth-busting, here are some responses to these...
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Absolutely - We need a spectrum of opportunities, spaces and places for children’s play. Both formal/dedicated and informal. Alison’s recent work is brill for this: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02614367.2025.2466497
tandfonline.com
Children’s play in grey spaces: ludic geographies and the chromatic turn
Children have long played in ‘grey spaces’, on doorsteps, roads, car parks, back lanes, but this ludic geography is not uncontested. Debates around the proper place for children’s outdoor play, in ...
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Thanks so much Alison - hope it is a positive resource. Data fully free and accessible for anyone to use. We hope to take it forward with PlayEngland!!
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
This looks like a really important piece of work - access to playgrounds is a really key part of thinking about the geographies of children’s neighbourhood play - look forward to reading it
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Thanks so much Wendy 👍
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
We hope the results may help support #NationalPlayStrategy and #PlaySufficiencyLegislation calls by @thetcpa.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social @timrgill.bsky.social @dbornat.bsky.social @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @tomhayesmp.bsky.social @wendyrussell.bsky.social @playingout.bsky.social +others
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Our study provides a NEW framework for identifying #playground interventions within different #cities #towns & #settlements to help improve #play provision nationally in #England Our evidence base can support improved #policy, #practice and #placemaking for #children and #play
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Largest study on English #playgrounds developed to date: - #Leicester has x4 more of its area devoted to #playgrounds than #Leeds - Nearly x5 more #playgrounds per #child in #Norwich compared to #Liverpool - In #London, #Islington has x5 the area of playgrounds compared to #Barnet
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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
NEW #Playgrounds research w. #PaulBrindley #YueshanMa #RuiWang & #HelenWoolley published in #LandMDPI Using #opensource data we explore 33,736 #playgrounds in #England Our study generates a new framework to help reduce #play inequalities nationally FREE TO ACCESS doi.org/10.3390/land14030477
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walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social @walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Today sees the release of the Children’s Walking and Cycling Index report - the first of it’s kind - sponsored by Halfords Children are often overlooked by decision-makers and officers in transport, or if they are considered, it's on the school journey.
Graphic reads: The Children's Walking and Cycling Index 2024. 81% of children want more traffic free paths. 78% support cycle paths separated from cars. Halfords. Sustrans.
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