Twenty volumetric sensors are currently being installed and will be used at different city parks every month. These sensors do not record images or sounds, but do provide metadata gauging what’s going on in a play area, establishing an age range based on the size of users, and recording the length of time spent there and the different hours of use, identifying usage within the facility.

The sensors will be installed in ten play areas:

• Plaça de Sant Miquel, in Ciutat Vella
• Jardins de la Indústria, in L’Eixample
• Jardins de la Mediterrània, in Sants-Montjuïc
• Plaça de Margarita Rivière Martí, in Les Corts
• Jardins d’Elvira Farreras Valentí, in Sarrià – Sant Gervasi
• Jardins de Maria Baldó, in Gràcia
• Plaça de les Pedreres de Can Baró, in Horta-Guinardó
• Plaça del Virrei Amat, in Nou Barris
• Parc d’Antoni Santiburcio, in Sant Andreu
• Superilla del Poblenou, in Sant Martí

An extensive prior analysis has been carried out, pioneering in southern Europe, with the installation of thermal buttons on play elements to monitor temperatures, the use of wristbands worn by children and nearly 10,000 surveys with users of these spaces to complement the fieldwork.

The first analysis concluded that children’s play areas are a cohesive element of the neighbourhood: children spend more than 30 minutes a day in them and this strengthens community life. The average age of children who play in these areas is around five years old.

Children’s favourite elements are multi-game structures, the swing and the slide. As for games they would like to see, trampolines and ziplines stand out. In places where these exist, they are highly valued. The areas children like most are spacious and feature play elements for different ages. Children and families alike value play areas where there is vegetation, and which are quiet and away from traffic.