The residential street playbook TheImprint: residential street playbook 1st edition, April 2020

Created within the framework of the EU “Metamorphosis” project, as supported by the European Commission. The responsibility for the cont- ent of this publication lies solely with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI, CEE, nor the European Commission are responsible for the use of the information contained herein.

Idea and concept: Forschungsgesellschaft Mobilität FGM Association Fratz Graz – Werkstatt für Spiel(t)räume

Authors, editors: Sonja Postl, Ernst Muhr, Karl Reiter and Alan Wong

Publisher: Forschungsgesellschaft Mobilität FGM Schönaugasse 8a 8010 Graz +43 (0)316 8104510 [email protected] www.fgm.at

Picture credits: Cover: Picture – games activity street: Fratz Graz Page 4: all pictures: Fratz Graz Page 5: Picture – children with ball: pixabay, all other pictures: Fratz Graz Page 6: Picture – street painting: Toni Anderfuhren Page 8: Picture – girl with soap bubbles: pixabay Page 11: Pictures – wood figurines and painted pillars: Fratz Graz Page 12: Picture – paintbrush: pixabay Page 13: Picture – lemonade: pixabay Page 14: Picture – chalk: pixabay Page 20: Picture – children playing ball: Toni Anderfuhren Page 26: Picture – unicycling: Toni Anderfuhren Page 27: Picture – bobby-car and traffic cones: Fratz Graz Wir spielen überall! Page 29: Picture edited – tin can stilts race: Fratz Graz Page 30: Picture - children playing with ball: Harry Schiffer

forschungsgesellschaft Illustrations and graphics: Sonja Postl - Fratz Graz mobilität The residential street playbook This booklet belongs to: Contents

6 8 14 This is a Everyday life Games with residential street street chalk

What is a residential Tips for playing on a Recipe for street chalk street, and what am I residential street. Hopscotch allo wed to do he re ? How does the street Witches’ dance become visible and safe? “Number hopping“ The big snail “Message hopping“ 20 26 30 Catch and Vehicle and Further throwing games motor skill games information

“The lucky throw” Children’s traffic park Adresses and contacts Street chalk square Mini-vehicle course in connection with “Plucking the goslings” Water cup transport active mobility and game Figure ball “Who laughs last...” activities on streets and Cornhole Tin can stilts race squares. Featherball (Indiaca) Street mini golf Soccer tennis 5 This is a residential street

This chapter is related to the Road Code that is active in Austria, but it could be applied equally across any country in Europe, should they wish to do so. A residential street is a street which is meant for people (i.e. pedestrians), with limited vehicle traffic. It is easily recognised by a blue rectangular traffic sign showing a pedestrian, a child playing, a house and a car, but the emphasis is not on the car only.

6 LIVING SPACES FOR ALL GENERATIONS WHAT ABOUT CARS?

In these residential streets, the street becomes a living space Cars may only be driven at for everyone. They are places forchildren and adults to walking speed in a residenti- socialise, build community, play, and linger. They increase al street and at a sufficiently the quality of life and feel-good factor in housing districts safe distance from people and estates. Their implementation is usually very simple, and other traffic. You are but requires cooperation from everyone. also not allowed to use the residential street for driving through, but only for access and departure traffic. WHAT AM I ALLOWED BICYCLE TRAFFIC IN Parking is only allowed in TO DO AS A CHILD? RESIDENTIAL STREETS designated parking spaces. Exceptions are made for You may enter the street, It is okay to ride a bicycle road services, waste collecti- when it is safe to do so, and or scoot in the street – even on, and emergency vehicles. play on it. You have to make against the direction of a room for incoming cars and one-way street – provided watch out for any parked you watch out for pedest- cars – but you are not allo- rians and other children wed to damage them. playing on the street.

7 Everyday life

A residential street is an area where people meet and soci- alise. Some want to relax and enjoy their peace and quiet, others want to play outside, chat, or be out and about. It is important to show consideration for each other. THE STREET IS FOR EVERYONE!

Do you fancy a fun game of alphabet hopping, tag , or may- be a game of hopscotch? Well then, let’s “Get out onto the residential street!”

After all, residential streets belong to you too, and you are allowed to play on these streets. Cars are only allowed to drive very slowly (walking speed) and you even have priori- ty as a pedestrian. If a car approaches, you can stand at the side of the road with your things for a short time, let the car drive past you, and then continue playing.

If you would like to use the residential street as a play- ground for the first time, we have a few useful tips and guidance for you and your parents.

It is best to inform the neighbourhood in advance so that everyone knows about it. Maybe someone even wants to play along?

8 AM I ALLOWED TO RIDE scooting in residential It is best to agree with the A BICYCLE OR A SCOO- streets, nor are supervisors neighbours in advance TER IN A RESIDENTIAL required by the road traffic about the times during STREET? regulations! which louder play may be tolerated. For example, loud In residential streets, chil- ARE WE ALLOWED TO games should be avoided at dren are allowed to cycle, MAKE NOISE WHILE WE lunchtimes and in the late scoot, play, and rollerskate ARE PLAYING? evenings (from 10 p.m. at on the road to their heart‘s the latest). content. The only restricti- According to the UN on is that permitted vehicle Convention on the Rights AM I ALLOWED TO traffic may not be obstruc- of the Child, children have TAKE THINGS OUTSI- ted deliberately. the right to play and do DE WITH ME AND FOR The minimum age for unat- sports, as well as the right HOW LONG ARE THEY tended cycling is 12 years, to assemble freely. Children ALLOWED TO REMAIN even in residential streets, need to play in order to THERE? or 10 years with a bicycle develop healthily, mentally pass in Austria. Younger and physically. They need Whether it is a traffic children may ride a bicycle space to move around and cone marker or a game: In only under the supervision interact with their friends. residential streets, it is okay of a person over the age of Of course, sometimes this to temporarily place your 16. can get loud. Whether playthings on the roadway Excluded are very young they are laughing, shou- and sidewalk. However, it children‘s bicycles up to ting, or screeching, it is in must also be possible to re- 12 inches. Children may the nature of things that move them quickly so that cycle around unattended on “children‘s noise” can arise larger vehicles such as those these mini-bikes. during these games. used for waste collection are not obstructed. In the There is no minimum However, there are ways to evening, everything should age for roller-skating and make coexistence easier. be cleared from the street.

9 TIPS FOR PLAYING IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET

If there is sufficient space, posts. Traffic cones can also in a residential street. They residential streets can be be temporarily placed on the are available in all major equipped with benches, roadway at short notice. home improvement plant troughs and other stores. They are usually colourful street furniture. The following ideas are well made from waterproof Benches and troughs not suited to help ensure your materials, and cars can only contribute to a pleasant safety: drive over them without atmosphere, they also any problems. However, it increase safety because they TRAFFIC CONES are well is important that no road draw attention to the fact suited to direct the atten- markings are covered by that people live and play on tion of vehicle drivers to the lawn pitch. this street. playing children. Whether In the evening, the lawn they are homemade or pitch must be rolled up If it is not possible to do this, bought at the home impro- again and removed from there are also simple tem- vement or toy store, child- the road. porary options to explore. ren can easily place them Balloons and bunting can themselves and perhaps Roads colourfully painted be put up to draw attention even use them in a game. with PAVEMENT CHALK to the residential street. immediately signal to Wooden figures of children GREEN LAWN PITCHES drivers: “Attention – child- can be crafted together, and can be spread out over a ren at play!” Chalk can also are particularly eye-catching section of the street and at be used for many different when they are attached the same time act as a kind street games, and there are to fences, street lamps, or of temporary meeting place no limits to your creativity.

10 WHERE CAN I RENT PLAY EQUIPMENT IN GRAZ?

The association Fratz Graz rents out play equipment which you and your parents can transport in a specially designed bicycle trailer. A particularly clear signal of a residential street is gi- ven by MOBILE WOODEN FIGURES, which are only placed on the street for the duration of the game-play- ing afternoon, and removed again afterwards. Used only temporarily, they can attract the attention of road users again and again.

Children are able to pull these rolling figures onto the street themselves and remove them when neces- sary.

11 It is often good and fun to paint the street with street paint or chalk.

DIY-STREET PAINT You need: • some empty jars with lids Make your own street • approx. 4 heaped table- paint - which can be a real spoons of starch per paint hit! - you can use it to create colour wonderfully colourful pic- • approx. 75ml of water, and tures on the street, or paint some drops of liquid food a hopscotch or an obstacle colouring per colour course. The best thing? – the paint First pour the starch into is completely non-toxic, the jar and then add the and everything is cleaned water and food colouring up after it rains or you have while stirring constant- hosed it down. This allows ly – and then it’s ready to even for very young child- go! During the process of ren to join in the fun, and if painting, the colour won’t be a dog, hedgehog, or cat tries very prominent yet, it only to lick the paint – then no becomes really radiant after problem! it has dried.

12 SPENDING TIME TOGETHER

As well as playing, eating and drinking also brings people together. The residential street makes it possible for the neighbourhood to come together in this way. Here you can meet informally, get to know each other, and make new contacts. If you want to push this a little bit further, you can organise a picnic, or children can open a lemonade stand.

DIY-LEMONADE

Lemonade is a must-have at Now you just pour in the your lemonade stand! sparkling water and the homemade lemonade is You need: ready! • 3 organic lemons • 3 tablespoons of honey You‘ll be right on trend if • 1 litre sparkling water you put a few fresh lemon • a jug balm or mint leaves into • a lemon squeezer the jug too. It is best to do this after you have mixed First you squeeze the the lemons with the honey. lemons and pour the juice Then you wait about an into the jug. Be careful to hour before you pour on the leave out the pips! Then mineral water, so the leaves add the honey and mix really influence the taste of thoroughly. your lemonade.

13 Games with street chalk

STREET CHALK RECIPE

First, casting moulds are and one day, depending on produced. You need suitable the strength of the plaster paper moulds for this, which mush used. you can make by wrapping one or more cardboard rolls One more piece of advice: with strong adhesive tape. If you put the finished street The lower end is sealed to chalk in sugar water and be waterproof with two then draw with it, the col- layers of adhesive tape and ours will be even brighter. aluminium foil. Then, the plaster is mixed with water in a bowl. The ratio should be three cups of water to two cups of plaster. You can make coloured chalk with colour pigments. The plaster should be stirred until it is nice and mushy. Then the plaster mass is carefully filled into the moulds. Plaster must be processed quickly, otherwise it hardens quickly. Finally, leave it to dry. This takes between one hour

14 HOPSCOTCH

There are many different square is skipped again. All variants of “Hopscotch”. those who manage to do so without making a mistake Here is one of them: Paint throws the stone into the 10 squares on the street next numbered square, the with a piece of street chalk, next time it’s their turn. and number them 1 to 9 as shown, with the final one Whoever reaches the num- marked “sky” (or “Himmel” ber 9 square first wins. in German). Each child looks for a stone. One child The following things count throws the stone into the as mistakes: failing to hit the first square. If the child hits, (correct) square with the the child may start jumping stone, touching a line while into the squares on one leg, jumping, falling down, or but has to skip the square not keeping the correct with the stone. Both legs order in jumping. jump onto the 4/5 and 6/7 squares at the same time. If you jump on the “sky” square, you make a half turn when jumping so that you face the direction of number 1. On the way back, the stone is picked up, but the

15 WITCHES’ DANCE

In this version, the numbers from 1 to 9 are entered into the nine fields of a square as shown. In this game, the jumping patterns become more complicated, from round to round. In the first round, you jump into the square on both legs one after the other. You jump into the fields 2/3, 5/6, In the fourth round, you and 8/9 at the same time on only jump into squares with the outbound trip, on the even numbers, and only way back you skip the fields those with odd numbers on Tip: You can also organi- 7, 4, and 1. the way back. se the witches’ dance as a In the second round, you The next round follows competition by drawing jump into each square one along the same pattern, but two squares of nine squares after the other on your right one-legged, with the right each next to each other, and leg, and on your left leg on leg jumping into squares forming two teams. the way back. with even numbers and the Two children then com- The third round is also left leg jumping into squares pete against each other in one-legged, but you change with odd numbers on the each one round. Whoever leg after each field, so right way back. completes their pattern the in the first square, left in the If you want to, you can fastest and without mistakes second, right in the third, also come up with other receives one point for their ...and so on. variations. team. 16 “NUMBER HOPPING“ (“BRIEFHOPSE”)

Preparation: Paint squares 6, then cross your legs on with numbers from 1 to 9 5 and 6, then cross your on the street. legs again for square 7, and There is no need to skip any straddle them to jump into squares here, but the hop- the squares 8 and 9. Do the ping technique is a bit more jump turn there and jump challenging: In the first back the same way you round you simply jump into came. each square one after the other on both legs, do a turn jump in square 9, and jump back the same way. In the second and third rounds, you only jump on one leg, first on the right leg, then on the left. For jumping into the squares 5 and 6, as well as 8 and 9, you have to straddle your legs – mea- ning that they also have to be straddled when you do the turn jump. In the fourth round it gets even more difficult: Cross your legs from 1 to 4, straddle-legged on 5 and 17 THE BIG SNAIL (ESCARGOT GAME)

A large snail with a spi- Each field should be large But watch out. The leg must ral-shaped house is drawn enough to comfortably not touch the lines throug- on the street with coloured accommodate a child‘s foot. hout. chalk. Divide the spiral into The first child now jumps Each child who succeeds many fields. from field to field on one writes their name in a ran- leg. dom field, where it may rest the next time it’s their turn. The other children have to skip the fields with names that aren’t their own in their rounds.

18 “MESSAGE HOPPING“

The players try to guess a word which one player tries to communicate to them by jumping on the respective letters’ fields on a 3x3 grid as shown. The letters are distributed according to old mobile phone keyboard layouts. So: ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQRS, TUV, WXYZ, while the field in the upper left corner remains empty.

One child comes up with a word of a maximum of 10 Meanwhile, the others try letters and jumps from field to guess the word. Whoever Then, it is the next child’s to field according to the calls it first gets a point. turn and so on. order of the letters. If two consecutive letters require If nobody guesses the word, It will be easier for those the same field, the child the hopper repeats his or who have to guess if they jumps into the empty field her action. If nobody gues- know the number of letters in the upper left corner as a ses the word even after the before jumping. You can hint before jumping on the third time, the hopper gets limit the allowed words, e.g. field again. one point. to a certain topic.

19 Catch and throwing games

STREET CHALK SQUARE (“KREIDE-QUADRAT”)

This game is very similar to darts, except that a square “THE LUCKY THROW” with four fields is painted on the floor. The scores are This is a game for everyone painted into the fields. Rules fond of mathematics: A of the game: Each child tries large square is drawn on the to get as many points as street or the pavement with possible by throwing three street chalk. Divide it into stones. The highest score nine smaller squares and is achieved when the stone write the numbers from 1 lands (and remains) exactly to 9 into them in a random on one of the lines. This is order. Each child gets three because the points from pebbles and aims at the both adjacent fields are then fields. The sum of the three added up, and maximum throws must be exactly 15, points is given for a stone as shown in the example. landing in the middle.

20 “PLUCKING THE GOS- FIGURE BALL LINGS” (“FIGURENBALL”)

A child is the goose and Draw a numbered play- sticks a piece of string into ing field on the ground. their waistband to signify Whoever starts throws the a feather. Then it runs off, ball into the first field so and the others have to that it can be caught when follow. Whoever catches it bounces back. However, the string has “plucked the the ball is not caught, but hit gosling” and gets a marble with the flat hand (or fist) so as a reward. Then the roles that it lands in the second are exchanged. Who has the field, and so on. most marbles after ten runs? The player who hits the ball through all the fields in the correct order wins. Whoe- ver makes a mistake may start the next round with the field in which the mis- take was made. If all players make a mistake, they all start again in the first field.

21 CORNHOLE

You need (adult supervision is also needed): • a piece of wood (110x60cm) • two hinges • matching screws • sandpaper • wood varnish • masking tape • drill, jigsaw, brush • fabric remnants • dried beans • needle and yarn

Saw a rectangle of 20x60 Now the panels can be The fabric rectangles are centimetres and a larger rec- painted in any decorative folded, and sewn together tangle of 90x60 centimetres way you like. on two of the four rims. from the wood, as shown. The created bags are then Use the drill/jigsaw to make The bean bags: 8 rectangles turned over and filled up to a 15cm diameter hole in the measuring 14x28 centimet- two thirds with the dried middle of the upper area res are cut out of the fabric. beans. of the large rectangle, then It’s best to use two distinct Now all that remains is to sand all parts with sandpa- colours or patterns to be sew up the top. per. Connect the rectangu- able to differentiate between lar panels with the hinges. the opposing teams.

22 Cornhole can be played in pairs or in teams. The goal is to throw the bags onto the board or the hole to score points. There is one point for a bag that stays on the wooden surface without touching the ground. Three points are awarded if the bag falls A game consists of several through the hole. It doesn‘t sets, which are in turn divi- matter if this happens with ded into rounds. During the The team that scored the a direct shot or if the bag is first round, the players on most points in the previous pushed through by another team A take turns throwing round will throw first. This bag during the game. a bag towards the opposite continues until one team board. Afterwards, it is the reaches 21 points and wins The game in teams of two: turn of team B with one bag the set. Two cornhole boards are each. placed at a distance of eight Then team A again, and The game ends when one metres between each other, then team B. This ends the team has won two sets. If as shown. Next to them are round and the points are de- played in pairs, each player the throwing zones - in the termined and noted down. gets four bags. After the same size of the cornhole Afterwards, the teams throw of each bag, it’s the boards. Each team receives change sides and the next other player’s turn, and so four bags. round begins. on.

23 FEATHERBALL (JIANZI OR INDIACA)

Featherball is a game which originated in China over 2,000 years ago, where it is known as Jianzi. It is also known as Peteca in Portugal 110 of the circles are gashed or Indiaca in South Ame- in the middle. The feathers rica. When playing on the are put through one of the residential street, it has the washers and the 10 prepa- advantage that it is soft and red circles are pulled over does not fly very fast. To make a featherball your- the quills and glued firmly. Two teams throw the self, you need: To balance the projectile, featherball over a net, string, • foam rubber in different a second washer is now or line with their hands and colours attached. The protruding feet. If one team makes a • 3-4 feathers quills are cut off at the end mistake (for example when • 2 washers and then the last two foam the featherball hits the • one cloth (12x12cm) rubber circles are glued on. ground in their own field or • a string Let it dry. is shot out), the other team • scissors and glue Put the dried result in the gets a point. The featherball middle of the cloth, take can also be used when play- Cut 12 circles with a dia- the four corners of the cloth ing in a circle or by being meter of three centimetres upwards and tie them with thrown at a target. from the foam rubber. the string.

24 STREET MINI GOLF SOCCER TENNIS

You need: You need: • a small ball • street chalk • self-made rackets from an • a string old broomstick and a piece • a softball of wood • two pillars • obstacles in form of books, cardboard, pots, Paint a field on the street bowls using street chalk. Put the • small buckets instead of pillars up on both sides of the holes the field at its midway • notepad and pencil point, directly opposite one • a thick rope or bars on the tracks that have to another. Attach the string be overcome: books, bowls, to them in such a way that Mini golf can be played bridges, etc. it is taut at a height of about right outside the front door The task is to roll the ball 20cm, to act as the “net”. or on the pavement. For the into the hole – in this case Throw or kick the softball golf club(s), a short the bucket – with as few over this string with your piece of wood is screwed to strokes as possible. feet. It can be returned by an old broom handle. The number of strokes the the opposing player directly The game is played on player needed is written or after it has hit the ground tracks, to mirror a golf down on a notepad. once. If the ball goes out, ‘fairway’. You can use a Whoever manages to get cannot be returned, or does rope or bars to create the the ball in its intended not go over the line, it is track’s frame. destination – the bucket – marked as a ”fault”. The with the fewest strokes is winner is the one with the There are various obstacles the winner. fewest faults.

25 Vehicle and motor skill games CHILDREN’S TRAFFIC PARK

This is how it’s done: No game manual is necessary for children to learn the rules of the road! Chil- dren use street chalk to draw a course on the street together, including road markings, stop signs, roundabouts, and parking spaces. They then get used to conquering the marked roads and paths with their push-cars, tricycles, or scooters. Tip: if you include many right turns or a circle where you need to drive counterclockwise, it’s a great way to practice right- hand driving (left turns and clockwise for left-hand driving).

26 MINI-VEHICLE COURSE THE WIPE A wide board is placed over Even the course prepara- a balancing beam. You ride tion, during which you your bike onto the board develop a route together, and down on the other side, can be fun. over the beam. Paint a route onto the street with chalk. Don‘t be stingy SLALOM DRIVING with curves, narrow and With traffic cones or large wide parts, or circles. cups, you can mark a slalom Leave space for event stops course. You have to do the in between, which can pro- slalom course without kno- vide further activities. cking over a cone or cup. You can come up with wha- tever you like, although here TARGET BRAKE are some good ideas. Finally, you have to brake in such a way that you come THE BALL TRANSPORT to a stop right at a marked A small ball is placed on a stop line. table, a traffic cone, or a pil- If you are a bit more experi- lar. You have to pick it up as enced, you can either count you drive past and throw it who has the fewest mistakes into a bucket after a certain on the course or you can distance. have a race against time.

27 WATER CUP TRANSPORT

You need: • 2 bicycles, scooters or push cars • 4 buckets, 2 of which are filled with water • 2 cups

Mark an approximately 30-metre-long route. Two or more groups have to trans- “WHO LAUGHS LAST, port water with their cycle/ LAUGHS BEST!” scooters/push cars from one bucket to the other using In this cycle race, the last the cups, with the team person to cross the finish members taking turns. After line wins. Mark a course of a certain amount of time about 20 metres. the amount of water in the All participants start receiving bucket is checked. side-by-side, and ride their bikes as slowly as possible. The water can then be used Whoever has to put their to moisten the road to foot on the ground is elimi- practice brake exercises. nated.

28 TIN CAN STILTS RACE

Here you could practice that the holes are opposite your dexterity and, if you one another.It is best to let have a bit of experience an adult help you with this. already, organise a tin can Pull a strong cord through stilts race. the holes and tie the ends together well. The cord, You need: folded into half, should • 2 stable, but not too small be long enough for you to empty cans easily grasp and tighten it • a drill with your arms stretched • one fixed cord, approx. down. Put a foot on each 4.5m can, grab the cord with your hands and the tin cans The cans are put up with stilts race can start. the opened side facing down, as shown in the pic- A tin can stilts race can also ture. Two holes are drilled include small obstacles, directly below the bottom making it harder to keep of the cans in such a way your balance.

29 Further information

ForschungsgesellschaftFGM Mobilität Austrian Mobility Research Schönaugasse 8a - 8010 Graz Tel.: +43 (0)316 8104510 Mail: [email protected] www.fgm.at

FGM sets impulses for choosing gentler and safer forms of mobility in everyday life and offers positive incentives for walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.

WerkstattFratz Graz für Spiel(t)räume Karmeliterplatz 2 - 8010 Graz Tel.: +43 (0)316 90370-150 Mail: [email protected] www.fratz-graz.at

The association Fratz Graz is committed to the creation, improvement, and preservation of child- and youth-friendly play and living spaces in Styria, Austria. This is achieved by creating ext- raordinary opportunities for play in playgrounds, streets, schoolyards, and on housing estates, as well as by developing new leisure and cultural educational projects.

30 

Metamorphosis is about transforming urban neighbourhoods with a focus on children. The project starts from the premise that when a neigh- bourhood has many children in its public spaces, this is a major indicator that it is well designed as a sustainable neighbourhood for people. The word sustainability itself is already inseparably combined with children as it implies being “desi- gned for the next generation”.

Children can help to develop positive emotions for their neighbourhood (and this is a key issue, www.metamorphosis-project.eu as behaviour and decisions are mostly deter- mined by emotions, and only to a much lesser degree by rational arguments such as cost/ EUMetamorphosisProject benefit). Thus: • children can easily find a direct way to their EUMetamorphosis parent‘s hearts; and • to be against children’s needs and demands isn’t socially well accepted. eumetamorphosisproject

The aim of the project is to create child-friend- ly places to change the mobility behaviour of EU Metamorphosis Project citizens and to increase the quality of life in seven European partner cities (and other similar cities who wish to follow) during and after the project’s Childfriendly cities - METAMORPHOSIS lifetime.

31 forschungsgesellschaft mobilität

Wir spielen überall!

Created within the framework of the EU “Metamorphosis” project, as supported by the European Commission. The responsibility for the content of this publication lies solely with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI, CEE, nor the European Commission are responsible for the use of the information contained herein.

This project has received funding from the European Union‘s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under  grant agreement o. 723375