Istanbul95 Talk: Darell Hammond

City as a Playground

If you could experience a city from 95 cm – the height of a 3-year-old – what would you change? Istanbul95 asks this bold but simple question of the world’s city leaders, planners, architects, and innovators. As we discuss this question, we hope to listen to experts and our first guest is Darell Hammond.

Darell Hammond is the founder of KaBOOM!, a non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children, particularly those growing up in poverty. KaBOOM!’s stated mission is to help provide “a great playspace within walking distance of every child in America.” Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,700 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.5 million kids.

Hammond holds two honorary doctorate degrees, and was named an Ashoka Fellow and one of the Top 30 Social Entrepreneurs by Forbes Magazine. Currently, he is residing in Tirana, Albania and advising the city’s Mayor on establishing a parks and recreation department and implementing the Tirana 2030 Masterplan.

Simultaneous translation to Turkish will be available.