Activating the playful city: A review of ludic urbanism and introducing the ludic continuum framework

Abstract

By 2050, nearly two-thirds of the world's population will reside in cities, many of which currently lack the infrastructure to support diverse recreational needs. Yet cities possess untapped potential to foster inclusive and engaging public spaces through the integration of ludic elements. Rooted in the Latin word ‘Ludus’, meaning playfulness, the concept ludic encompasses a wide range of playful recreational and interactive experiences. However, how the ludic potential can inform urban design has been significantly underexplored. By conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature across Geography and related disciplines, this study addresses the identified gap. Through descriptive and thematic analyses, the review identifies key characteristics of ludic activities, examines their impacts on urban actors, and outlines strategies to integrate ludic activities in urban design. Building on these insights, the paper introduces a novel ‘ludic continuum’ framework that categorises ludic activities, offering a valuable tool for envisioning and designing more vibrant, inclusive and playful urban public spaces for all ages.