Summary
The Opération Ré création project in Brussels is an initiative aimed at adapting school playgrounds to climate change, transforming them into green, multifunctional, and inclusive environments for play and restoration.
Coordinated by Bruxelles Environnement in partnership with perspective.brussels, the programme redesigns schools playgrounds, introducing vegetation and nature based elements that not only enhance the quality of the space but also bring cooling environments into surrounding neighbourhoods.
A central component of the project is its participatory design approach, involving students and school communities at every stage—from diagnosis and co design to aspects of implementation and long term maintenance. Beyond their educational function, the redesigned playgrounds are also opened to the wider community outside school hours, reinforcing their role as proximate and accessible public spaces.
By combining renaturalisation, participation, and mix use, the initiative enhances social interaction and wellbeing, while contributing to urban cooling and environmental sustainability.
Key aspects
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Climate adaptive learning environments
Transforms school playgrounds into green, cooling spaces that respond to urban heat and environmental challenges. -
Participatory co creation across all stages
Engages students and school communities from diagnosis to design, implementation, and long term care. -
Extending school spaces into neighbourhood assets
Opens playgrounds beyond school hours, transforming their role as shared local public infrastructure. -
Renaturalisation as social and environmental strategy
Integrates natural elements to enhance wellbeing, biodiversity, and everyday urban resilience.