Bolt turns parking lot into chess park for community engagement

Bolt, a ride-hailing platform has transformed a traditional parking lot into a chess park for community engagement with the launch of its “Playtivism campaign” in Lagos.

As part of its Playtivism campaign, the chess park is a vibrant, people-first space where Lagosians of all ages can gather, play chess, and foster stronger community ties.

According to the ride hailing platform, the playtivism campaign is a call to playful, people-centered urban design.

It is about giving cities back to the people by repurposing car-dominated spaces into areas that promote health, connection, and joy.

The campaign is inspired by over 81,000 submissions received during Bolt’s Rewind2023 campaign, where users shared ideas on how to make cities more liveable.

The initiative is aimed at creating a new kind of meeting point, one where elders and youth can connect over chess, building bridges across generations and sparking meaningful community engagement.

The park will feature daily “teach-and-play” sessions hosted by two professional chess experts, as well as exciting activities including cash prizes for participants and other classic games like Ludo and more, open to anyone interested in learning or improving their skills.

As part of the activation, Chess In Slums, a renowned non-profit organisation will be participating on April 11, further reinforcing the park’s mission to empower and unite through play.

The initiative is also part of a broader global effort, with a similar Urban Playground activation that was run in Lisbon, all under the Playtivism umbrella.

Bolt is turning the idea of mobility into more than just movement, it’s about rethinking how we use our shared spaces.

Speaking on the initiative, Osi Oguah, general manager Bolt Nigeria said that at Bolt, they believe that cities become more fun, inclusive, and healthy when they design them for people, not just for cars and through Playtivism,

“We are showing that small changes like turning a parking lot into a chess park can have a big impact on how communities interact and thrive.

“And next time you need to drive somewhere, think about riding instead. It’s better for your wallet, and better for your city. Riding is the new driving”, Oguah said.