Frode Svane is a Norwegian architect and designer of experiences for city children. His focus is on the value of the experience of nature by young children.
You can see pictures of his work at this site. He has a new exhibition called "Bring Nature Back to City Children". His work is inspiring and in North America particularly I think there would be many opportunities to develop his ideas in the cities and even in small towns everywhere.
Here is what Frode Svane says about his Photo Exhibition "Bring Nature Back to City Children"
1) Part ONE of the exhibition shows how children play in the nature in
contact with all kind of elements, moving themselves in different ways and
create their own frames for role play, constructing huts, shelters and
suitable spaces (unofficial play situations).
2) Part TWO of the exhibition shows how children use their surroundings in
the city, in thinkable and unthinkable ways, within frames which definitively
not are planned for play and the use of children, - more often, also
"dangerous".
3) Part THREE shows good and inspiring alternatives in the city, in parks,
school yards and at meeting-places. This might be the most inspirational
part of the exhibition, showing people what is possible to build up of both
nice and inspiring frames for children´s play in the city.
The first two parts shall create a clear consciousness and put focus
on what children in fact are doing, wherever they have good and plenty of
possibilities within natural frames, and what they are doing in spite of the
dangers in the city. This will also show their real needs.
The exhibition focus on the importance of giving nature back to city
children, and to take care of green belts and green areas in the near
surroundings, along their school ways, and to create more wilderness in the
traditional parks.