Green squares and playgrounds

Marco Polo-Terrassen © ELBE&FLUT, HafenCity Hamburg GmbH

Designs for squares and playgrounds can include a critical consideration of the proportion of paved areas. Squares in French towns and cities can serve as an example: they tend to be semi-paved and bordered by trees that provide shade. Playgrounds can be covered with sand, tree bark or grass, not just the automatic choice of concrete or rubber tiles, which attract much more heat. Naturally, playgrounds can also feature more trees and shrubs.