Playful Paradigm

Games for inclusive, healthy and sustainable cities

Edited on 22/07/2025

04/04/2018 06/04/2021

Closed
  • Transfer Network
  • Participative governance
  • Urban design
  • Participation

Cities offer unique opportunities for addressing the challenges of urbanization, ageing, climate change, social exclusion, only if enabling, enjoyable places are co-created. This Transfer network aims to replicate the “playful paradigm” based on gamification as an innovative concept for promoting social inclusion, healthy lifestyles & energy awareness, intergenerational & cultural mediation, place-making & economic prosperity. Games offer new strategies for engaging city stakeholders in urban development.

Summary

Partners

Lead Partner : Udine - Italy
  • Cork - Ireland
  • Esplugues de Llobregat - Spain
  • Katowice - Poland
  • Klaipèda - Lithuania
  • Larissa - Greece
  • Novigrad-Cittanova - Croatia
  • Viana do Castelo - Portugal

Timeline

Kick-off meeting

1st TN Meeting in Esplugues de Llobregat | 2nd TNM in Udine | 1st Customized Activity in Udine: Ludobus and Social Transformation | 2nd Customized Activity, Paris, Toy Libraries Study Visit | 3rd TNM in Klaipeda

4th TNM Viana do Castelo | TNM Online (Parts 1+2+3) | Webinar "Network Management for Tackling the COVID Crisis" | Webinar "Public Procurement" | Webinar "Manifesto of Playful Cities" | Playful Paradigm to re-think cities (virtual session @ EURegionsWeek)

Sharing Period | Final Event 20-21 April

Network Outputs

Municipality of Udine (Italy)

CONTACT US

Articles

  • A conversation on energy poverty, knowledge transfer, governance and the role of cities in Europe

    Contacted by Maximiliano Schulz, intern at the German URBACT Point, EmPowerIngUs Coordinator Fernando Gonzalez Ferreira and Ad Hoc Expert Chiara Lucchini had the chance to dialogue and reflect about

    Chiara.Lucchini

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  • THE COM’ON CHRONICLE (Issue #1: November 2025 – August 2026)

    Understanding before translating: How five European cities want to improve and rebuild their youth participatory budgeting (YPB) based on the Com’ON Cluj good practice

    Nils Scheffler

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  • Articles

    Grüne Transformation in der Praxis: 47 URBACT-Städte zeigen, wie es geht

    Von der Revitalisierung brachliegender Flächen über die Transformation von Industriestandorten bis zur Kreislaufwirtschaft: Fünf URBACT-Netzwerke zeigen, wie Städte die Ökologisierung ihrer

    Martina Bach

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Related content

URBACT stories

  • Articles

    From play to change: the 2026 URBACT University visits Cork!

    As the 25 URBACT Transfer Networks prepare to adapt practices from other European cities, Cork demonstrates a lesson in how transfer can lead to lasting local change.

    URBACT

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  • Articles
    Children playing in an activity of the Playful Paradigm initiative.

    An URBACT National Transfer Story: the impact of play in Ireland

    Let’s explore how one good practice can have a ripple effect across Europe and throughout one country.

    URBACT

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  • Articles
    10 times URBACT has driven change for Gender Equal Cities - COVER

    10 times URBACT has driven change for Gender Equal Cities

    Throughout the years, URBACT has led the way towards gender equality. The experience from cities bears witness of change.

    URBACT

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Additionnal activities

  • PLAYFUL PARADIGM II

    Playful Paradigm increases the capabilities of cities to answer global challenges including those emerged during covid19. It promotes inclusion, intergenerational solidarity, SDGs, resilience, healthy lifestyles. Play is a serious matter and can make the difference for a better urban future of

    See more