MasidlaleGOGO: designing inclusive neighbourhoods & exploring public spaces through intergenerational play
1
goGOGOgo, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2619
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Public spaces shape the social characteristics of their neighbourhoods. Safe, open environments promote physical activity, social cohesion and a sense of belonging. However, poorly maintained spaces can reduce community participation and contribute to fear and isolation. For older persons and children, who exist outside economic hubs and whose accessibility needs are rarely prioritised in urban design, these spaces become strong social determinants. Masidlale GOGO! ("let's play, GOGO!”) is an intergenerational workshop developed to explore the relationships between grandmothers, grandchildren and their neighbourhoods, and how their perspectives can contribute to building inclusive urban environments.
METHODS:
Masidlale GOGO! is a participatory workshop that engages older persons aged 60+ and children aged 7-13, using facilitated group discussion and structured play to conduct experiential research on their relationships to urban environments. Using design thinking principles adapted from the Play Africa toolkit, participants progress through empathising, problem definition, ideation, prototyping and sharing. Children lead creative mapping exercises using emotive stickers to identify feelings associated with local landmarks, roads and institutions. Grandmothers contributed contextual and caregiving perspectives. Qualitative observations were used to identify themes related to accessibility, safety and social well-being.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed a strong alignment between the experiences of children and older persons regarding safety concerns, limited mobility and restricted access to public spaces. Children proposed practical design features (improved street lighting, pedestrian markings, green spaces, community safety groups, etc.) to reimagine neighbourhoods designed for their needs. Intergenerational dialogue fostered mutual recognition of shared vulnerabilities and priorities, positioning both older persons and children as knowledgeable contributors to discussions on inclusive societies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Masidlale GOGO! demonstrates the public health value of intergenerational participation and needs-based assessments in urban design. By centring children and older persons as co-producers of knowledge, Masidlale GOGO! offers transferable insights to support urban governance, public safety and social participation.
Public spaces shape the social characteristics of their neighbourhoods. Safe, open environments promote physical activity, social cohesion and a sense of belonging. However, poorly maintained spaces can reduce community participation and contribute to fear and isolation. For older persons and children, who exist outside economic hubs and whose accessibility needs are rarely prioritised in urban design, these spaces become strong social determinants. Masidlale GOGO! ("let's play, GOGO!”) is an intergenerational workshop developed to explore the relationships between grandmothers, grandchildren and their neighbourhoods, and how their perspectives can contribute to building inclusive urban environments.
METHODS:
Masidlale GOGO! is a participatory workshop that engages older persons aged 60+ and children aged 7-13, using facilitated group discussion and structured play to conduct experiential research on their relationships to urban environments. Using design thinking principles adapted from the Play Africa toolkit, participants progress through empathising, problem definition, ideation, prototyping and sharing. Children lead creative mapping exercises using emotive stickers to identify feelings associated with local landmarks, roads and institutions. Grandmothers contributed contextual and caregiving perspectives. Qualitative observations were used to identify themes related to accessibility, safety and social well-being.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed a strong alignment between the experiences of children and older persons regarding safety concerns, limited mobility and restricted access to public spaces. Children proposed practical design features (improved street lighting, pedestrian markings, green spaces, community safety groups, etc.) to reimagine neighbourhoods designed for their needs. Intergenerational dialogue fostered mutual recognition of shared vulnerabilities and priorities, positioning both older persons and children as knowledgeable contributors to discussions on inclusive societies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Masidlale GOGO! demonstrates the public health value of intergenerational participation and needs-based assessments in urban design. By centring children and older persons as co-producers of knowledge, Masidlale GOGO! offers transferable insights to support urban governance, public safety and social participation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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