Residents in one of Europe’s most densely populated cities who complain about the noise of children playing should be ignored, according to a sports advisory group which says outdoor activity is vital for their health.
In new outdoor play advice, Sportraad Amsterdam (Sports Council Amsterdam) said local bylaws should be changed so that the sound of children playing was no longer a valid reason for complaint by vexed neighbours.
“Especially in an urban environment like Amsterdam, the sound of playing children is a natural, desirable and unavoidable part of daily life. The municipality’s communication needs to position the sound of playing children as a positive and healthy aspect of the city,” said the report.
Changing the legislation would “help prevent unnecessary restrictions or the closure of playgrounds due to a few complaints”, it added.
As the Netherlands aims to build almost 1m homes to address its housing crisis, bodies such as Sportraad Amsterdam are campaigning for authorities to factor in outdoor space for children to those plans.
According to city research, many in the Dutch capital already live in small, single-glazed houses without gardens. National figures suggest 38.5% of Dutch children between the ages of four and 12 do not meet national guidelines of at least an hour a day of intensive movement.
Nick Romeijn, the general secretary of Sportraad Amsterdam, said: “Public space is becoming ever more scarce, including outdoor playgrounds. Existing playgrounds are being used more, leading to complaints about noise pollution. As a result, politicians sometimes scale back or move playgrounds. But if in 15 years, we want to have a city where children are welcome, we have to make choices … And if you have [daytime] noise from a playground because children are playing, you need to embrace it.”
Amsterdam municipality welcomed the report and said it was working to address the concerns. Rob Hofland, a D66 party councillor who has proposed a new policy to stimulate rough-and-tumble play, said it was vital to give children play spaces. “And yes, playing children make a noise,” he said. “That is part of the city.”
