A ball and a wall used to be all you needed for hours of entertainment. But these days, when good design is an expected component of almost every experience, much more is necessary if public urban spaces are to meet the requirements of 21st century recreation and leisure. Sustainability over time and flexibility to accommodate multiple activities, for example, are key requirements.

Fortunately, architects and landscape designers have answered the call and produced an amazing array of public spaces for recreation. The Good Life showcases the best and most imaginative new designs from around the globe. Stripped from the structural constraints and serious programs of so many building types, the projects here are designed for fun. But they also demonstrate the role of public spaces in enhancing daily life, fostering social and cultural identity, and contributing to urban regeneration.  

Zoe Ryan, Senior Curator at Van Alen Institute and organizer of the 2006 Good Life exhibition, edited this volume, with contributions from a broad team of creative experts, including Paola Antonelli, Janet Abrams, Michael Bierut, and Diana Balmori.