Turning Kids Into Planners

Kolle 37, as it's called Berlin, is "is one of Germany's most successful attempts at reforming how children play and learn by providing an interactive space for play," reports Next American City's Alex Vuocolo. A proposal in Philadelphia may see the American version of such a project take place.

"But will a concept that works in a progressive borough of Berlin also work in the complicated legal landscape of an American city, where strict safety guidelines have defined playground construction for over 30 years?" asks Vuocolo. "[Alex Gilliam, director of Public Workshop], is confident that it will, and not only out of blind faith. He said that for youth engagement and crowd-sourcing projects to avoid liabilities and result in a successful finished product, there must also be subtle top-down management."