How Play Drives Public Spaces for Children Global lessons and possibilities with Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee

How Play Drives Public Spaces for Children

Global lessons and possibilities

                                                   A FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

About the Presenter

Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee

Sudeshna is an urbanist, researcher and planning professional, recognised globally for her work creating inclusive, resilient and child friendly cities. She was lead researcher and author of the Guide to Creating Urban Public SPACES for Children (2026), the landmark UN guidance jointly published by WHO, UNICEF and UN Habitat, and has since led UNICEF’s SPACES webinars for practitioners and city officials worldwide. She also served on the expert working group for General Comment No. 17 on the child’s right to play. She is Program Director for Research, Knowledge and Engagement at WRI India Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, where she led work informing India’s first national urbanisation policy. Sudeshna is a member of the Executive Board of the International Play Association (IPA World) and Editor in Chief of PlayRights magazine.

Recent publications

WHO, UNICEF and UN Habitat (2026). Guide to Creating Urban Public SPACES for Children. Lead researcher and author.

Chatterjee, S., Truñó, M. and Schledorn, A. (2025). Planning for play: how are Barcelona and Regensburg using the approach and what have they achieved? International Journal of Play, 14(2).

Chatterjee, S. and Dutta, C. (2024). Healthy public spaces for children within neighbourhoods through urban transformations. Cities and Health.

About the Lecture

Why do some cities create places where children can play, move about freely and feel they belong, while others don't? Drawing on 50 case studies from 36 countries, Sudeshna shows how play drives the creation of public spaces for children, from Regensburg and Mexico City to Nairobi, and closer to home, Melbourne's open space planning and Sydney's Darling Harbour Children's Playground.

Sudeshna's presentation will be followed by three inspiring lightning speakers (5 minutes each) and then a combined panel discussion. Join us for a thought provoking discussion on How Play Drives Public Spaces for Children.

When: Wednesday 11th Novmeber 2026

Time: 10:00am to 11:45am

Where:  Lecture Theatre 1

              Wilkinson Building

              The University of Sydney

              148 City Road,  Camperdown NSW 2006

Presented by Play Australia in partnership with Flourishing Cities, The University of Sydney