This study continues the research of “Sport in the City” and with the theme ´Active City´ – spatial planning and design for physical activities, playing, sports and its urban space, public space and buildings. Sport in the City is primarily about compact spaces, with sport as the core programme. The ´Active City´ deals with ´Urban Parks´. It focus on larger public space structures, where various functions are mixing and intermingling with each other, as playing, walking, recreation and sports.
Urban Parks shows nine different and unique urban parks or public space networks in Europe, each one with distinctive spatial qualities. The examples are located in nine European cities and are examples of linear, central and network green public spaces / urban park structures. The active space of each urban park is highlighted, as specific areas for playgrounds and sports. Sometimes, these areas are completely open and free for all public. In other cases, the areas are gated and used by specific groups. In some parks, as in Máximapark in the Netherlands and in the Superkilen project in Copenhagen, the main walking and cycling route is highlighted. In other parks, no specific main route can be distinguished; it is the whole path network that contributes to create spaces for active uses.