Cool Spots for Kids is a preliminary study on developing a web-based planning tool to visualize the monetary and non-monetary value of urban ecosystem services for young people and the broader community. The tool will provide indicators and graphics while using AI to generate explanatory texts and arguments to support the planning of urban green spaces and open spaces.
Climate-resilient and equitable urban spaces
As Switzerland’s urban population grows, densification and new developments are putting increasing pressure on public green spaces. For children and young people in particular, access to parks, gardens, and playgrounds is essential for physical activity, social interaction, and daily contact with nature. Urban green spaces also benefit the broader community in various ways, from supporting biodiversity and climate adaptation to improving air quality and enhancing well-being. Yet access remains unequal, with green spaces often concentrated in more affluent neighbourhoods.
Cool Spots for Kids explores how cities can design and create urban green spaces that are climate-resilient, socially equitable, and beneficial for both people and nature. The project lays the groundwork for a web-based planning tool that recommends suitable locations for cooling green spaces and playgrounds in urban areas. The tool aims to visualize the need for climate-resilient green and open spaces and to assess their monetary and non-monetary value for children, young people, and adults.
