The 2nd International Workshop on PLAYABLE CITIES: THE CITY AS A DIGITAL PLAYGROUND

What is a playable city? “A Playable City is a city where people, hospitality and openness are key, enabling its residents and visitors to reconfigure and rewrite its services, places and stories.” This notion of ‘making cities playable’ was introduced some years ago in Bristol (UK). Originally it was meant to distinguish playable cities from smart cities, where smartness is identified with intelligent and efficient city management. This is contrasted with playfulness that can become part of an urban environment through the use of new and advanced information and communication technology. A playable city requires the smart technology that is integrated in a smart city environment. Sensors, actuators, displays, smart tangible objects, and wearables, can be used to improve the efficiency of city management (traffic, public transport, security, public events, et cetera), but they can also introduce playful elements. Playability requires smart technology. A city without smart technology embedded in its urban environment cannot offer its citizens playful interactions with streets, buildings, street furniture, traffic, public art and entertainment, large public displays and public events.