New urban parks in Belgium are increasingly designed with children and teenagers in mind, ensuring community spaces meet their needs. The ‘ijsjesnorm’—a playful standard inspired by the simple joy of ice cream—has become a key feature in parks like Wolterspark and Tondelierpark. On 2025-06-12 10:00:00, city planners confirmed this approach will continue in upcoming projects.
- Include 'ijsjesnorm' in new parks
- Survey children and youth for input
- Collaborate with designers and developers
- Apply approach to future projects
- Focus on Oude Dokken and Afrikalaan
- Prioritize children's and teenagers' wishes
By actively consulting young residents, designers and developers aim to create welcoming environments that encourage play, socialising, and outdoor activity. Future parks such as Duifhuispark and Patrice Lumumbapark will also embrace these youth-focused principles. Even larger urban developments like Oude Dokken and Afrikalaan prioritise these considerations.
How can cities balance the needs of all age groups while fostering vibrant community spaces? And what impact does involving youth have on urban planning? These questions highlight the importance of the ‘ijsjesnorm’ as a guiding concept in Belgian park design.
Incorporating youth input into park design raises important points about urban development:
- Engagement with children and teenagers leads to more relevant and appealing public spaces.
- The ‘ijsjesnorm’ symbolises a focus on fun, accessibility, and community connection.
- Ongoing projects across Belgium reflect a growing trend toward inclusive urban planning.
- This approach encourages healthier lifestyles and stronger neighbourhood ties.
As Belgian cities continue to develop, prioritising the voices of younger generations will be key to creating parks that truly serve the community. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming consultations to help shape these vital public spaces.
