Assessing Barcelona’s Child-Catered Spaces From the Users’ Perspective This architectural project began with a simple sketch by a child—an entry point into rethinking how playgrounds are experienced and imagined. Set in Barcelona, the project examines how children and guardians engage with urban play spaces, using site analysis, interviews, and spatial mapping to assess criteria like walkability, safety, enclosure, and imaginative potential. Fieldwork across neighborhoods such as the Gothic Quarter, Eixample, and Bellvitge revealed a disconnect between progressive urban planning and the lived experiences of children. Through comparative studies—like contrasting Barcelona with smaller cities such as Olot—we explored how density, infrastructure, and access shape the effectiveness of play spaces. By including children aged 3 to 11 and their parents in the process, the project centered real user perspectives. Their insights called for playgrounds that integrate with the city, prioritize safety, and support open-ended, creative play—moving beyond the conventional swing-set model. This work suggests that child-centered design should not be an afterthought but a foundational element of urban planning. A city that works for children ultimately works better for everyone.