Verica Kovacevska

In 2014, the artist invited children aged 5 to 10 to take part in the new master plan for the Kasernen-Areal (former military barracks) in Zurich. The area was being developed by the city and the canton of Zurich, with many parties involved, except for children. The artist explained how the Kasernen-Areal was utilized previously and asked the children to envision its future – Would it be a place to play or learn? What colour should it be? What should it feel and sound like? And who would use it – children, adults, animals, trees, insects, creatures from our imaginations, or everyone? 

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Based on this, the children created their proposals. Many included playful scenarios, such as sliding down buildings, battling monsters, and walking on elevated footpaths connecting treehouses. Some were simple yet beyond our imagination – a rainbow slide or a volcano playground that spits balls. They not only provided valuable insights into the children’s inner worlds, but also emphasized the need for greener and more communal spaces. 

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Following this, the artist submitted the drawings in a document to the city and canton of Zurich, advocating for the importance of children’s inclusion in the urban planning process. They responded positively and committed to taking their ideas into consideration in the course of developing the main master plan.

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In 2025, the artist recreated the work in Skopje in collaboration with the Kiro Grigorov Primary School and Centar Municipality, providing a rare opportunity to observe how children perceive and experience public spaces in both Zurich and Skopje. 

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(Photos: Roman Richers, Urs Schmid, 2014;

Ani Kostova Petrovska, 2025)