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

  • Innovating Urban Security: CITISENSE at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025

    5 November 2025 | “Connecting European Cities Towards Community-Based Urban Security” Session 

    Dimitra Kounavi

    See more
  • Articles
    Young test VR headsets branded “URBACT METACITY”; one smiles while holding a controller, the other adjusts the visor.

    Razlog brings education into Virtual Reality through the MetaCity Project under URBACT IV

    The Municipality of Razlog is bridging the gap between education, cultural heritage, and digital innovation as a proud partner in the “MetaCity” project, funded under the URBACT IV Programme. Focused

    Michaela Gil

    See more

  • Co-creating Safer, More Liveable Cities: Transnational Meeting in Manresa

    3–5 November 2025 | Manresa & Barcelona, Spain

    Dimitra Kounavi

    See more

Related content

URBACT stories

  • 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

    See more
  • 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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  • Articles
    Can urban public space foster equality in cities_COVER

    Can urban public spaces foster equality in cities?

    In the lead up to the International Women’s Day, let’s look into this question and much more.

    Ileana Toscano

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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